[Cervical cystic metastasis in ENT carcinoma. Differential diagnosis with the branchioma]

This study report 3 cases of nodal cystic metastasis in the neck. One of them was diagnosed as an epidermoid carcinoma of unknown origin and the other 2 were an epidermoid carcinoma and an mucoepidermoid carcinoma respectively, arising in the larynx. Treatment of these patients included removal of the cystic metastasis with or without neck dissection and irradiation. Cystic metastasis from squamous cell carcinoma have often been mistaken for primary squamous cell carcinoma of branchiogenic origin. The distinctive histological features of cystic metastasis reviewed after its correct identification, can lead to the discovery of an unsuspected primary lesion and result in specific treatment options.