K. Marsotdupuch et al., CONGENITAL NECK MASSES - EMBRYOLOGY AND P ATHOLOGICAL ANATOMY - A RETROSPECTIVE IMAGING MULTICENTER STUDY, Journal de radiologie, 76(7), 1995, pp. 405-415
Various congenital cervical anomalies are found in the neck region inc
luding defects of the branchial apparatus (branchial, thymic and parat
hyroid anomalies) and vascular anomalies. They manifest as cystic mass
es, sinuses, fistulas and as ectopic glands. This multimulticentric re
trospective imaging study done in 5 different radiological centers (4
adult radiological departments and 1 pediatric radiological department
) shows the result in understanding the congenital cervical anomalies
and include 63 patients. The age of the patients varied between 24 day
s - 81 years with a mean age of 23 years. This study included 27 patie
nts having congenital branchial pouch anomalies (4 cases of anomalies
of obliteration of the 4 th arch), 14 cases of cervical cystic hygroma
s, 11 thyroglossal tract cyst cases, 1 congenital laryngocele case, 1
case of jugular ectasia, 3 cases of capillary haemangioma. The embryol
ogic basis of these different malformations were reviewed. Their chara
cteristic findings and sites were illustrated together with their typi
cal et atypical appearances. The frequency of occurence of each branch
ial anomaly were plotted, the second branchial cleft cyst being by far
the most common congenital cystic neck mass (70%). The study revealed
the role of different imaging modalities in the diagnosis of various
congenital cervical anomalies, especially in some particular complicat
ed cases of congenital neck masses presenting in adult. Imaging study
helps the clinician to anticipate any difficulties in unforeseen circu
mstances that may arise including infection haemorrhage, or parapharyn
geal extension. Understanding the various radiologic appearances of th
ese anomalies is greatly aided by familiarity with their embryologic o
rigin. Moreover, considering the anatomic location and radiologic appe
arence, the precise embryologic origin can be accurately predicted.