INFECTED 3RD BRANCHIAL CLEFT CYST - RETROPHARYNGEAL EXTENSION TO THE SUPERIOR MEDIASTINUM

The presentation of an infected branchial cleft cyst extending into th e retropharyngeal space is extremely rare. However, differentiation of this lesion from a simple retropharyngeal abscess is important far su rgical planning. The authors describe a 44-year-old woman in whom an i nfected third branchial cleft cyst was initially misdiagnosed as an ab scess and drained surgically. Repeat surgery was necessary when the pa tient's symptoms recurred several weeks later.