Primary branchiogenic carcinoma in the first branchial cleft of a child

Abstract

To our knowledge, no case report of first branchial cleft carcinoma has been described in children. Herein, we report a case of squamous cell carcinoma that developed in the vestigium of the first branchial apparatus in a 10-year-old girl who had suffered from first branchial cleft sinus since childhood. Following a wide surgical excision and neck dissection, the patient has remained in good health for 2.5 years without developing any primary or recurrent tumors locally or elsewhere. Based on this case report, it is significant to check whether a patient has ever suffered from congenital lateral cervical sinus, fistulae or cysts during a history consultation, as this could be employed, in addition to the criteria of Khafif et al, to aid the diagnosis of primary branchiogenic carcinoma.