Branchial Cleft Anomalies: Our Clinical Experience and Literature Review

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: Branchial cleft anomalies are rare anomalies of embryological development. It develops due to incomplete development of branchial apparatus during fetal development and can be observed as a cyst, sinus tract, fistula or cartilage residue. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical features and surgical treatment results of branchial cleft anomalies operated in our clinic. METHODS: A total of 62 patients diagnosed as the branchial cleft anomaly in our clinic and operated between 2007-2017 were evaluated retrospectively. The records of all patients were examined in terms of age, gender, clinical presentation, duration of symptoms, examinations, pathological results, and follow-up. RESULTS: 40 (64.5%) of the 62 patients who were treated with the diagnosis of branchial cleft anomalies were female and 22 (35.5%) were male. The mean age was 26.5 ± 12.9 and the youngest patient was 7 and the oldest patient was 71 years old. The most common complaint in the patients was neck swelling in 53 (85.5%) patients. 20 (32.3%) of 62 patients have first and 42 (67.7%) second branchial cleft anomaly. The third and fourth branchial cleft anomalies were not observed. DISCUSSION and CONCLUSION: Branchial arches play an important role in the development of head and neck structures. Abnormal development of these structures leads to the formation of different anomalies such as cysts in the neck, sinus or fistula in the future. The treatment of branchial cleft anomalies is surgical excision.

Brankial Yarık Anomalileri: Klinik Deneyimimiz ve Literatür Taraması

ÖZ GİRİŞ ve AMAÇ: Brankial yarık anomalileri embriyolojik gelişimin nadir anomalilerindendir. Fetal gelişim sırasında brankial aparatın gelişiminin tamamlanmamasına bağlı olarak gelişir ve kist, sinüs traktı, fistül veya kıkırdak kalıntısı olarak gözlenebilir. Bu çalışmanın amacı, kliniğimizde opere edilen brankial yarık anomalilerin klinik özelliklerini ve cerrahi tedavi sonuçlarını gözden geçirmektir. YÖNTEM ve GEREÇLER: Brankial yarık anomalisi tanısı alan ve 2007-2017 tarihleri arasında opere olan 62 hasta retrospektif olarak incelendi. Tüm hastaların dosya kayıtları yaş, cinsiyet, klinik prezentasyon, semptomların süresi, tetkikleri, patolojik sonuçları ve takibi açısından incelendi. BULGULAR: Çalışma süresi boyunca kliniğimizde brankial yarık anomalisi tanısı ile tedavi edilen 62 hastanın 40’ı (%64.5) kadın, 22’si(%35.5) erkekti. Ortalama yaş 26.5±12.9 iken en genç hasta 7 en yaşlı hasta 71 yaşındaydı. Hastalarda en sık izlenen başvuru şikayeti 53(%85.5) hastada izlenen boyunda şişlikti. 62 hastadan 20'i (%32.3) birinci, 42’i (%67.7) ikinci brankial yarık anomalisiydi. Üçüncü ve dördüncü brankial yarık anomalisi izlenmedi. TARTIŞMA ve SONUÇ: Baş boyun yapılarının gelişiminde brankial aklar önemli rol oynar. Bu yapıların anormal gelişimi, boyunda kist, sinüs veya fistül gibi ileriki dönemde ortaya çıkan farklı anomalilerin oluşumuna yol açar. Brankial yarık anomalilerinin tedavisi cerrahi eksizyondur.

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