Retention cysts of the rhinopharynx. A case report

Cystic lesions of the rhinopharynx are infrequent and their differential diagnosis poses problems. A patient with a large lateral retention cyst of the rhinopharynx is described in which differential diagnosis with a cyst of the second branchial arch was considered. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a very characteristic image and proved more specific than computed tomography. Histopathological study of the surgical specimen established the diagnosis by revealing a cyst enclosed by a non-keratinized squamous epithelium.