Branchial Cleft Cyst

klayman · Newbie Joined: 10 Apr 2005 Posts: 17

Hi, my baby was diagnosed with a branchial cleft cyst. A doctor told me that most branchial cleft remnants require no treatment, but my wife and I are not sure about that. Any suggestions?

heng · Newbie Joined: 13 May 2005 Posts: 13

A Branchial Cleft Cyst is a birth defect in the neck or just below the collarbone. It appears early during development of the embryo, when the tissue doesn’t develop mormaly. This condition can be diagnosed without testing. It just takes a physical examination by your baby’s health provider. It is true that most branchial cleft remnants require no treatment. However, if it is infected, a doctor prescribes antibiotics. When it comes to a surgery, the results are usually good. The symptoms are usually lumps, small pits, or skin tags on the neck or just below the collarbone. Sometimes, a fluid comes out from a pit on the neck.

zegulite · Newbie Joined: 17 Jan 2007 Posts: 1

Hello everyone!
I am wondering if anyone has ever expericenced anything like I am going through. I am now 7 months pregnant and have a Large Bracial Cleft cyst. I got the cyst as sson as I got pregnat. I have had the cyst drained 3 times now for pain and they have removed 33 cc's of fluid each time. I am wondering what is the recovery time for the surgery? I will have a newborn to care for, and a 3 year old! Is there a long hospitial stay envolded? Or will it just be a couple of days. I can tell you that this is misreable having a cyst the size of a small tennis ball on the side of my neck. It goes from my ear all the way down my neck.

Thanks.

Guest · Guest

In 1998 my son was born at 24 weeks gestation. I had a growing brachial cleft cyst that was the size of a cantaloupe by the time it was removed three weeks after his birth. Thankfully my doc knew his surgical limitations and brought in a colleague with more surgical experience operating on large cysts. That decision was one well worth the money (two surgeons were not covered, Dr. N was not in my plan).

After a lengthy surgery, my husband and mother heard about the size of the cyst and how serious it was. I spent one week down the hall from my son (in the NICU) on serious pain medication. I won't lie the pain was awful. I had to lift my head with my hands for several days. After the first week, the pain was manageable, and I had my son's life that I was more concerned about anyway.

You will need help for about three weeks after surgery because you will not be very excited about turning your head in a car to check for traffic. Just find some help and you'll be fine. Do your research about your surgeon and his or her surgical history before letting them operate on such a vital area of your body.

cloudia 55 · Newbie Joined: 14 Feb 2007 Posts: 1

I have a three month old who was diagnost with Branchial Cleft Cyst today. He has to have surgery with in his first year. my questin is what do they do to take it out and is it painful? How long is the recovery time?do they put the baby's to sleep?

sherylmarciano · Newbie Joined: 16 Feb 2007 Posts: 1

Hello,
I can't believe I have found this web site. To any one with a brachial cleft cyst. Here is my story. Hopefully, I will be able to give a short version.
I am a 44 yr old female. I just endured a neck disection to remove a 7 and 1/2 inch Brachial cleft cyst that basically went undiagnosed while under the care of an Ear ,Nose and throat doctor for the last four years after he removed two pollups on my vocal chords. While under his care about a year and half ago. I began severe symptoms , sick all the time sinus infection soar thraot strepp throat ear infections double ear infections constantly on an antibiotic ETC I was at the doctors every other week. All the while I ahd aPin hole at the base of my collar bone that weeped puss. he said it was a sebatious cyst a surface skin cyst But then I beagan to have ringing in my ear pain ion the right side of my neck, swelling and i could push on my neck and taste puss in the back of my throat. He told me taht I had a stressful life{ single mom two kids two jobs and a smoker going thr bad divorce} He said loose weight stop smoking and work less basically ignored my concerns . I said taht i was convinced that the thing weeping on my neck was some how connectedto my illness he said no way even though my primary wrote him a note saying that she thought it was a bracial cleft cyst. he sent me to a dermatoligist who proceeded to cut what he thought was a surface cyst until he got past deep tissues and could not find the end of the cyst{Iwas wide awke with only a topical numbing agent. He left me wide open on the table wide awake to call the ENT DR. came back said he had to so me up and that I needed to have this thing removed by surgery and that i should see the ENT right away
I did the next day that DR told me I dont know what this is What you want me to do
I went to my prmary who could not believe this happened to me she sent me to another Dr who found the cyst in 15 minutes the next thing I know I am at the Head and Neck Clinic at Mass Eye an Ear having surgery
Where that DR said It was the largest Brachial clefy cyst he had ever removed

luvanurse123 · Newbie Joined: 10 Mar 2007 Posts: 1

I just had a baby 4 weeks ago, during my pregnancy my cyst kept growing, now it it very large and painful-- the whole right side of my face hurts-- my eye, my right tonsil, my right side of my neck--- headaches ect. I will be having surgery soon and Im a little scared about the facial nerve ect, and how painful it will be. Its good to know Im not the only one, if u have one or have had it removed please email me and let me know.

snglton@tampabay.rr.com
Trina

Guest · Guest

I am having pressure in the ear, and sometimes feel fullness under
my tongue. I have this chonic problem since early October.
My ENT doctor did a CT scan and found I have a second branchial
cleft cyst. He mentioned this is from birth, and hoping I will get
relief from this discomfort.
I am worried about the surgery, and hoping I will have a good
recovery from the surgery.
I am 59 years old, and have had some sore throats and problems
with my gland swelling on the right side.
My surgery is Friday Dec. 7th, and really worried about the outcome
of this surgery.
Waiting to hear from you.[/b]

candvswirl · Newbie Joined: 06 Apr 2008 Posts: 1 Location: SC

To those with questions I had a brachial cleft cyst for 14 yrs. I had surgery 3 days ago to remove it and I wish I would've found this site sooner. I didn't realize there were so many others like me out there. I'll be happy to talk to or answer questions you may have. After my MRI the doctor said it was about the size of a tennis ball, the largest he had saw.After the surgery he said it was more like a grapefruit. Feel free to contact me .Good luck.

Guest · Guest

My son is a strong healthly young man who has just been diag. He is in the middle of being pulled between staying on antibiotics or draining it. I looking for a MRI test to see where we stand. But foremost through it all I find my answer in my Father who hears and answers all prayers. Gods speed to all how have to endure this.

Branchial Cleft Cyst

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