EVALUATION OF 1ST BRANCHIAL ANOMALIES BY CT AND MR

Objective: We present the spectrum of CT and MR findings of first bran chial anomalies (FBAs) in our 10 year experience and attempt to integr ate these anomalies into current classification systems. Materials and Methods: The hospital charts and all relevant imaging studies were re trospectively reviewed in 11 patients with pathologically proven FBAs. Radiographic analysis consisted of lesion size, morphology, location, relation to the expected course of the facial nerve, enhancement patt ern, attenuation compared to CSF, and T1- and T2-weighted signal inten sity. These findings were correlated with clinical symptoms and surgic al findings. Results: Seven lesions were unilocular cystic lesions wit hin the parotid gland. Two lesions were multilobular and two consisted only of sinus tracts. Rim enhancement occurred with signs and symptom s of infection. Sinus tracts were present in 5 of 11 patients. One pat ient had an associated epidermoid tumor. The Arnot classification syst em was the most useful for categorizing our lesions. Conclusion: Imagi ng was helpful in preoperative surgical planning, and none of the pati ents in our series had residual neurological deficits. Computed tomogr aphy was preferred to MR due to the visualization of bony detail and b etter capability to determine the cystic nature of these lesions.