Abstract
A case of the first branchial cleft cyst seen in a 14-year-old girl is reported. She was noted having an infraauricular cyst at 11 years of age and referred to us because of slow enlargement. She had not experienced redness, swelling or tenderness of the cyst. Clinical examination demonstrated a non-tender, elastic soft and immovable cystic mass with a clear margin. A puncture of the cyst demonstrated squamous epithelium. On surgical resection the cyst wall was very close to the external auditory canal but no fistula was seen. We excised the shallow part of the cyst completely and an only inner layer including all epithelium of the deep part of the cyst to avoid injury to facial nerves. Histopathologically the cyst was lined by squamous epithelium with lymphoid tissue. She had an uneventful postoperative course. Although the first branchial cyst is a rare anomaly, it should be kept in mind when seeing cervical masses in children.
