Third Branchial Cleft Cyst

  • Etiology:
    — Remnant of embryonal branchial arch incompletely obliterated
    — Thymopharyngeal duct origin
    — Courses from hypopharynx to supraclavicular region in upper posterior cervical space
  • Imaging: Look in posterior triangle, mandibular angle, mediastinum
  • DDX:
  • Complications: Infection
  • Treatment:
  • Clinical:
    — 2% of branchial cleft cysts
    — Presents with thymic cyst
    — With unexplained abscess in the neck look for branchial cleft anomaly

Radiology Cases of Third Branchial Cleft Cyst