Analysis on Causes of the Misdiagnosis of Branchial Cleft Cyst and Fistula by Color Doppler Sonography
ZHANG Yun-shan
QIU Xuan
LI Jin-rang
LIU Qiu-ying
YANG Ke
YU Ze-hui
FU Wan-xia
Abstract：Objective To summary characteristics of color Doppler sonography on branchial cleft cyst and fistula, in order to decrease misdiagnosis. Methods We retrospectively analyzed and compared the characteristics of color Doppler sonography of branchial cleft cyst and fistula in 17 cases confirmed by postoperative pathology. Results 12 patients were ad-mitted to our hospital with masses on side neck or under acoustic duct and 5 patients were found parotid and thyroid nodules in medical examinations. Only 7 cases were diagnosed correctly by color Doppler sonography before operation in all recorded 17 cases of branchial cleft cyst and fistula, 10 patients were misdiagnosed. The rate of ultrasonic misdiagnosis for branchial cleft cyst and fistula was 58. 8%. 3 cases were misdiagnosed as the solid mass of parotid gland, 1 case was misdiagnosed as cyst of parotid gland, 1 case was misdiagnosed as thyroglossal cyst, 3 cases were misdiagnosed as lymphnoditis with liquefaction, and 2 cases were misdiagnosed as thyroid solid nodules. In our study, all cases were confirmed by postoperative pathology:11 ca-ses were branchial cleft cyst and 6 cases were branchial fistula. The coincidence rate between color Doppler sonography diag-nosis and pathology was 41. 2% (7/17). Conclusion Branchial cleft cyst and fistula can be diagnosed based on ultrasono-graphic features of color Doppler sonography and clinical manifestations, but physicians should also pay attention to distinguis-hing it with other cystic neck lesions because it may be misdiagnosed easily for various factors.
Keywords：BranchiomaBranchial fistulaUltrasonographyDopplercolorDiagnostic errorsParotid neoplasmsLymphadenitisThyroid nodule
Publication Date：2014-01-01
Online Publishing Date：2025-08-15(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：4( 43-46 )