Congenital Malformations of the Head and Neck

Abstract

Congenital malformations of the head and neck are relatively common in children. Facial anomalies usually involve the midface and comprise anomalies of the nasolacrimal apparatus, nasal cavity, and nasofrontal region. Congenital malformations of the neck are classified as embryonic remnants of thyroglossal duct or branchial apparatus, pharyngeal cysts, foregut duplication cysts, and vascular malformations. Dermoid and epidermoid cysts involve both the head and the neck. An anterior midline or paramedian cystic mass is typically a dermoid or thyroglossal duct cyst. Anomalies of branchial apparatus and thymopharyngeal duct remnants are more laterally located and have characteristic positions in relation to the neck muscles and vessels. Lymphatic malformations are most commonly located in the posterior triangle. Therefore, knowledge of the embryologic features and anatomy of the head and neck is essential for the evaluation of head and neck malformation.