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Objective To explore the diagnosis and treatment of fourth branchial cleft deformity. Methods The clinical data of a patient with bilateral fourth branchial cleft deformity in the neck were summarized, and the literature was reviewed. Results The patient was a 17-year-old male who had a painless lump in his neck for 10 years. During specialized examination, a lump approximately 4.0 cm × 3.0 cm in size could be palpated subcutaneously on the right side of the neck, with clear boundaries, a regular shape, a soft texture, and a wave-like sensation without obvious tenderness. A fistula with a size of approximately 0.5 cm × 0.5 cm could be observed on the left side of the neck, and yellow clear liquid could be seen flowing out of the fistula. The surrounding skin was locally red and swollen, and the surface temperature of the skin was elevated. Computed tomography examination demonstrated a circular cystic low-density shadow approximately 4.4 cm × 3.4 cm in size in the right supraclavicular and anterior cervical regions. A flocculent isodense image could be observed in the middle; moreover, nodular calcification could be observed at the edge, and the surrounding fat spaces were blurred. The enhanced scan showed mild enhancement of the cyst wall but no obvious enhancement of the contents. On the left side, a circular nodular shadow with a diameter of approximately 1.4 cm could be seen, with enhanced scanning and circular enhancement. The surrounding skin was thickened, and the subcutaneous fat gap was blurred. Multiple small lymph nodes could be observed on both sides of the neck, with the larger nodes having a short diameter of approximately 0.8 cm. The size and morphology of the thyroid gland were not significantly abnormal, and there was no obvious abnormal density shadow inside of the gland. Upon admission, the diagnosis was a fourth gill fissure cyst in the right neck and a fourth gill fissure fistula in the left neck. Under general anesthesia and intravenous anesthesia, right branchial cleft cyst resection and left branchial cleft fistula resection were performed. Postoperative pathological examination demonstrated a left branchial cleft fistula and a right branchial cleft cyst. The wound healed by first intention, and there was no recurrence after 6 months of follow-up. According to the literature, fourth branchial cleft deformity is a congenital developmental abnormality of the branchial apparatus, the incidence of which accounts for only 1% of all branchial cleft deformities; moreover, it often occurs on the left side. The anatomical position is often located in the cervical root and supraclavicular region, thus demonstrating cysts or sinuses adjacent to the thyroid gland. The diagnosis should be confirmed by anatomical location, imaging examination or laryngoscopy combined with postoperative pathological results and should be differentiated from cervical masses such as thyroglossal duct cysts and lymph node metastasis. The main treatment methods include surgical procedures and endoscopic cauterization of the internal fistula. The prognosis is generally good, and there is a risk of recurrence; however, cancer rarely occurs. Conclusion Deformity of the fourth branchial fissure is very rare; thus, it should be identified early to avoid excessive and ineffective surgical drainage, reduce potential complications during resection and completely remove the lesion to prevent recurrence.

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Objective: In rare situations, neonates may present with respiratory distress and neck swelling from a piriform fossa sinus tract (PFST) lesion. Open surgical excision of PFST may be associated with higher complication rates, especially in neonates. Endoscopic treatment has been shown to have high success rates in older children, but neonatal outcomes appear to be less promising. The objective of this study was to review the existing literature on endoscopic treatment of PFST in neonates. Review Methods: PRISMA‐ScR guidelines for scoping reviews were employed. Medline and Embase databases were searched in accordance with a detailed search strategy. Nine studies met criteria for inclusion. Results: A total of 21 neonates with PFST treated endoscopically were reviewed. Mean age at onset of symptoms was 11.6 days. Neck swelling was the most common presenting symptom (20/21, 95%), followed by respiratory distress (6/9, 66.6%). Success rate after initial endoscopic treatment was 57% (12/21); among those, seven patients required additional concurrent treatments such as neck/pharyngeal swelling decompression or sclerotherapy. Nine patients underwent a second intervention (43%) and three patients (14%) required three interventions. Notably, 90% of patients (19/21) achieved success with only minimally invasive approaches. Two patients underwent open salvage surgical excision after recurrence following initial endoscopic treatment. Conclusion: Neonates with PFST and cystic neck masses are prone to recurrence after initial minimally invasive endoscopic treatment; however, high success rate may be achieved after repeat interventions. Adjunctive measures to optimize outcome may include swelling decompression w/wo sclerotherapy to cause fibrosis and postoperative nasogastric tube feeding. Level of Evidence: NA Laryngoscope, 134:2585–2591, 2024 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Objectives Pyriform sinus cyst (PSC) and pyriform sinus fistula (PSF) is a rare congenital malformation that arises from the third or fourth branchial structure. In our study, we describe the safety and the utility of endoscopic electrocauterization against PSC/PSF. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients who underwent endoscopic electrocauterization for PSC/PSF at our hospital. The internal opening of the fistula was identified under general anesthesia using a flexible endoscope (XQ‐260 or H‐290; Olympus, Tokyo, Japan), and the DualKnifeJ (KD‐655L; Olympus) was used to ablate the internal opening. Results We experienced three PSF and three PSC patients. The postoperative course was uneventful in all cases. The patients declared no pain in the neck, and there were no cases showing recurrent nerve paralysis. Five in six cases (83%), the closure of fistula was archived in the first cauterization. One case (16.6%) required repeated cauterization. No recurrence was found during the follow‐up period ( median: 1 year) in any cases. Conclusions Owing to its rarity in neonates, the diagnosis and treatment of PSC remains complicated and not clearly described. Complete removal of the fistula and the cyst with or without affected thyroid tissue was previously the most commonly used treatment. From our experience, we believe that endoscopic electrocauterization can be the first choice not only for PSF but also for neonatal PSC. In conclusion, endoscopic electrocauterization is feasible even for neonatal PSC. Further investigations including multicenter analyses are needed.

Abstract Background Severe epistaxis is one of the most common emergencies in rhinology practices. The commonly used endoscopic cauterization of the sphenopalatine artery (SPA), alone or with the anterior ethmoidal artery (AEA), has a high success rate for controlling severe epistaxis. The current study was conducted to evaluate the endoscopic intra-operative variations of SPA between epistaxis and non-epistaxis cases. Forty consecutive patients who underwent exploration of SPA were included in the study. They were distributed into two groups depending upon the indication of SPA exploration; the epistaxis group (group A, n=25 patients, n=26 sides) and the non-epistaxis group (group B, n=15 patients, n=25 sides). Criteria of the main SPA in the two groups were compared regarding four parameters; arterial diameter, arterial adherence to the mucosa of the lower part of the basal lamella, sphenopalatine nerve bundle, and crista ethmoidalis erosion. Results A significant difference was found regarding the diameter of SPA between the two groups; a mean diameter of 4.2±0.64 mm was compared to 3.2±0.35 mm for group A and B, respectively (p =0.043). Moreover, a highly significant tendency was observed regarding the arterial adherence to the mucosa of the lower part of the basal lamella and sphenopalatine nerve bundle in the epistaxis group; (p≤0.01). Conclusion These data clearly signify the importance of intraoperative identification of SPA criteria during surgical management of severe epistaxis. These criteria may help in altering the surgical decision between solely SPA and concomitant SPA/AEA cauterization.

The purpose of this work was to determine the epidemiology and the predictive factors of success of the surgical management of fourth branchial anomalies. This is a multicentric retrospective review from 1998 to 2016 of patients who presented with an endoscopically-confirmed fourth branchial pouch anomaly. Data were analyzed according to sex, age, clinical features, number of recurrences, treatment modalities (endoscopic and/or cervicotomy), post-operative complications and follow-up. Fifty-two children have been included. The average age at diagnosis was 4.5 years. Among them, 73.1% were female, 11.4% were neonatal forms; 94.2% of lesions were left-sided; 75% of patients presented a cervical abscess as first symptom, and 7.7% of children presented with dyspnea. Average time between first symptoms and management was 9.5 months. Management was endoscopic in 73.1% of patients (laser in 84.2%, coagulation in 15.8%) with about a third of recurrence after one procedure. Overall success of endoscopic procedures reached 84.2%. A cervical open surgery was performed in 26.9% as first line treatment. Overall success of cervicotomy reached 85.7%. No complications of endoscopic surgery have been identified. There were 35.7% complications of cervicotomy (2 recurrent nerve palsy, 2 keloid scars, 1 pharyngostoma). An association was proved between recurrences and initial abscess (OR = 2.44), and with age between 3 and 5 (OR = 4). Endoscopic treatments appear to be effective in first line approach in the management of fourth branchial anomalies, offering an excellent efficiency with rare complications. We identified two risk factors of recurrence: age between 3 and 5 years old and history of cervical abscesses. IV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keywords: Airway obstruction; branchial arch anomalies; third and fourth branchial pouch sinus; endoscopic cauterization; sclerotherapy EN Airway obstruction branchial arch anomalies third and fourth branchial pouch sinus endoscopic cauterization sclerotherapy E1730 E1732 3 04/15/21 20210501 NES 210501 INTRODUCTION Third and fourth branchial pouch sinus are rare causes of respiratory distress in neonates.1,2 Inflation of these sinus through the opening in the piriform sinus leads to airway obstruction. CONCLUSION We successfully treated two neonates with airway obstruction due to a third branchial pouch sinus with a combination of endoscopic cauterization of the piriform sinus opening and tetracyclin sclerotherapy of the residual cyst. Rigid pharyngolaryngoscopy showed a sinus tract in the base of the left piriform sinus confirming a third branchial pouch sinus (Fig. [Extracted from the article]

Objectives: To systematically review the current literature on treatment of third and fourth branchial pouch sinuses with endoscopic cauterization, including chemocauterization and electrocauterization, in comparison to surgical treatment.Data Sources: PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library.Review Methods: We conducted a systematic search. Studies reporting original study data were included. After assessing the directness of evidence and risk of bias, studies with a low directness of evidence or a high risk of bias were excluded from analysis. Cumulative success rates after initial and recurrent treatments were calculated for both methods. A meta-analysis was conducted comparing the success rate of electrocauterization and surgery.Results: A total of 2,263 articles were retrieved, of which seven retrospective and one prospective article were eligible for analysis. The cumulative success rate after primary treatment with cauterization ranged from 66.7% to 100%, and ranged from 77.8% to 100% after a second cauterization. The cumulative success rate after the first surgical treatment ranged from 50% to 100% and was 100% after the second surgical attempt. Meta-analysis on electrocauterization showed a nonsignificant risk ratio of 1.35 (95% confidence interval: 0.78-2.33).Conclusions: The effectiveness of cauterization in preventing recurrence seems to be comparable to surgical treatment. However, we suggest endoscopic cauterization as the treatment of choice for third and fourth branchial pouch sinuses because of the lower morbidity rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objectives: The management of third branchial pouch anomalies has evolved in recent times with the popularisation of the endoscopic diathermy technique to sclerose the pyriform fossa sinus opening. We present our experience in managing 3 children with third branchial pouch anomalies and propose a minimally invasive management algorithm avoiding open neck surgery. Methods: Retrospective case review of 3 patients including demographics, mode of presentation, investigations, management and complications. Results: Three children, two male and one female of mean age 9.6 years presented with painful left anterior neck swelling. Axial neck imaging showed a superficial abscess with air locules and a sinus tract leading towards the left pharynx. Diagnosis was confirmed by endoscopic examination of the pyriform fossa revealing a sinus opening. Two patients underwent open excision; one combined with diathermy to the sinus opening. The last patient was diagnosed at his initial presentation and managed with endoscopic diathermy of the sinus opening combined with percutaneous needle aspiration of the neck abscess at the same sitting. One patient had two recurrences, the first after initial open surgery and the second after the first cautery. Two patients developed temporary hoarseness after the procedure, which resolved within two weeks. All patients were free from recurrences at follow-up. Conclusions: Introduction of the technique of endoscopic diathermy to the pyriform fossa sinus opening in children with third branchial pouch anomalies has revolutionised their management avoiding open and potentially morbid surgery. Our algorithm takes this further by advocating percutaneous needle aspiration of the infective component and performing diathermy to the sinus opening at the first presentation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Conclusion: Endoscopic cauterization of the sphenopalatine artery and anterior ethmoid artery is a first-line standard of care in managing intractable epistaxis, after the failure of previous packing. Epistaxis occurs in 12% of the population. Treatment is often based on nasal packing that could be poorly effective in the treatment of severe posterior epistaxis. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of the endoscopic approach for posterior epistaxis. Methods: We report the experience of endoscopic cauterization in two metropolitan hospitals in Italy: 48 patients with at least one nasal packing in the 3 weeks before hospital admission. They underwent endoscopic cauterization of the sphenopalatine artery or of the anterior ethmoid artery. Results: The patients' mean age was 58.7 years; the mean hospital stay was 2.97 days. In 42 cases (87.5%), cauterization of the sphenopalatine artery was performed, and 6 (12.5%) were subjected to anterior ethmoid artery treatment. Epistaxis control was achieved in 93% of cases; 3 patients had a recurrent nasal bleeding, and were treated with anterior nasal packing. Minor complications occurred in 27.1%. We achieved a shorter hospital stay compared with patients who underwent anteroposterior packing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: To (1) update the technique of endoscopic electrocauterization of patients with pyriform fossa sinus tracts and (2) evaluate its effectiveness as a definitive treatment. Methods: Retrospective case series with nine patients (age range, 3.3–16.1 years) who were diagnosed with pyriform fossa sinus tracts between 2000 and 2007 at a single tertiary care children''s hospital and underwent endoscopic electrocauterization of the sinus tract. Data collected including age of diagnosis, presenting symptoms, time from presentation to diagnosis, diagnostic studies, prior and subsequent treatments, length of hospital stay, and recurrence, were reviewed and analyzed with descriptive statistics. Results: All nine patients presented with recurrent left or midline neck masses or abscesses. Seven patients (78%) had at least one previous incision and drainage procedures for abscess treatment. All patients had a computed tomography scan with findings suspicious for left-sided pyriform fossa sinus tract. The diagnosis was confirmed with laryngoscopy. For seven patients (78%), endoscopic electrocauterization was definitive treatment with no recurrences to date. Two patients (22%) had recurrent left neck abscesses after endoscopic treatment; these patients ultimately underwent excision of sinus tract with left thyroid lobectomy without complications or further recurrences. Conclusions: Endoscopic electrocauterization of pyriform fossa sinus tracts is a safe and definitive treatment for most patients. We advocate this minimally invasive procedure as first line of treatment for pyriform fossa sinus tracts, reserving open excision with or without thyroid lobectomy for failures. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose: Managing persistent epistaxis poses a great challenge for the otolaryngologist. Despite continuous development in treatment methods, no universal guideline has been commonly adopted. Among the popular methods is endoscopic sphenopalatine artery ligation (ESPAL). This study aims to evaluate the impact of ESPAL integration on persistent epistaxis management over 15 years in a single academic center., Methods: A retrospective study including all cases who were hospitalized due to persistent epistaxis and required intervention between 2000 and 2016. From 2011, ESPAL was routinely utilized in our center, hence the study population was divided based on admission year, prior to 2011 (pre-ESPAL) and from 2011 till the end of data collection (post-ESPAL)., Results: The pre-ESPAL group included 87 interventions and the post-ESPAL group 54 interventions. Electrocautery remained the most common intervention in both periods. However, ESPAL incorporation was accompanied by a significant decline in the use of posterior nasal packing in the post-ESPAL group. The hemoglobin recovery levels and the mortality rates were significantly improved in the post-ESPAL group compared with the pre-ESPAL group despite higher comorbidity rates among the post-ESPAL patients., Conclusions: This study demonstrates the shifting trend in managing persistent epistaxis, and suggests that ESPAL has successfully replaced posterior nasal packing. These findings may encourage clinicians to consider ESPAL as a valuable tool in the management of persistent epistaxis., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: The authors present the case of a 3-year-old girl with a history of complicated surgery for removing a third branchial cleft fistula., Methods: An endoscopic approach using N-butyl-2-acrylate and metacrilosisolfolane glue (GLUBRAN 2) to seal the fistula was performed., Results: The clinical and radiological 6-year follow-up confirmed the absence of the fistulous orifice and the persistence of scar due to previous open-neck surgical procedures., Conclusion: endoscopic Glubran 2 sealing has been an effective treatment procedure for branchial fistula., Competing Interests: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship and/or publication of this article.