Cyst, Branchial Cleft - DermAtlas - Dermatology Image Atlas

Contributor

Greg Hosler, MD, PhD

Diagnosis

cyst, branchial cleft

Body Site

neck

Age

36 years

Pigmentation

light

Organization

discrete

Color

skin color

Morphology

cyst

Pattern

localized

Comments

The branchial cleft cyst often occurs on the lateral aspect of the neck, in the region of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. It is a developmental defect. The lining is often squamous, as in this case, but is likely due to metaplasia as these cysts may also show columnar and ciliated lining. The hallmark is the brisk lymphoid cuff and germinal center formation.

Description

There is a squamous-lined cyst. The lining has 2-3 layers of cytologically bland squamous cells. At the periphery of the lining, there is a brisk inflammatory infiltrate. The infiltrate consists almost exclusively of lymphocytes, with germinal center formation.

Image Added

11/12/2007 22:38:01

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Other Resources

PubMed Medline Plus Medscape

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