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A rare variant of first branchial cleft fistula

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 July 2009

S Ramnani ,
V Mungutwar ,
N K Goyal  and
A Bansal
S Ramnani*
Affiliation:
Department of ENT, Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar Memorial Hospital is associated to Pt JNM Medical College, Raipur Chattishgarh, India
V Mungutwar
Affiliation:
Department of ENT, Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar Memorial Hospital is associated to Pt JNM Medical College, Raipur Chattishgarh, India
N K Goyal
Affiliation:
Department of ENT, Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar Memorial Hospital is associated to Pt JNM Medical College, Raipur Chattishgarh, India
A Bansal
Affiliation:
Department of ENT, Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar Memorial Hospital is associated to Pt JNM Medical College, Raipur Chattishgarh, India
*
Address of correspondence: Dr Sunil Ramnani, Assistant Professor, Department of ENT, Pt JNM Medical College & Dr BRAM Hospital, Raipur 492001 Chattishgarh, India. E-mail: drsunilramnani@gmail.com
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Abstract

Objective:

We report an extremely rare variant of first branchial cleft anomaly.

Case report:

A 15-year-old girl presented with a history of recurrent mucopurulent discharge from an opening in the left infra-auricular region, since birth. Computed tomography fistulography showed a tortuous tract measuring approximately 4.61 cm, extending anteroinferiorly and medially from the external inframeatal opening to the lateral nasopharyngeal wall (anterior to the fossa of Rosenmuller). The tract was connected to the deep lobe of the parotid gland and lay 0.67 cm anterior to the carotid artery and posterior to the medial pterygoid muscle.

Conclusion:

This was an extremely rare variant of first branchial cleft fistula. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of its type to be reported. Computed tomography fistulography is the imaging modality of choice for the diagnosis of branchial cleft fistula, and will also assist surgical planning.

Keywords

Branchial SinusFistulaExternal Ear CanalComputed Tomography

Information

Type
Clinical Records
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 123 , Issue 12 , December 2009 , pp. 1387 - 1389
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2009

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References

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