Endoscopic diagnostic and therapeutic management of branchial cleft fistula type III & IV: a single tertiary centre experience

INTRODUCTION: To date, recurrent neck abscesses associated with branchial anomalies are treated using a variety of techniques. Management strategies may include various imaging modalities and surgical methods. Endoscopic assessment and electrocauterization are the preferred diagnostic modalities and treatment strategies that have recently gained widespread acceptance and popularity.

METHODOLOGY AND RESULTS: This was a retrospective review on patients' medical record from 2016 to 2023. Seven patients underwent endoscopic cauterization at our centre, a tertiary academic institution. Five of the patients (71.5%) achieved complete remission. Two patients experienced recurrence within 6 months that necessitated re-cauterization once but subsequently recovered completely. Currently, endoscopic management is the preferred approach compared to the typical open neck excision surgery as it is significantly less invasive, resulting in lesser morbidity and similar success rates. At presentation, all of them had ultrasound neck that suggestive of neck abscess. Computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging unable to provide adequate information about the side of internal opening of fistula where only 3 out of 7 patients demonstrated tract up to the ipsilateral region of pyriform fossa.

DISCUSSION: Management outcomes of this limited case series showed the potential benefits of endoscopic cauterization as the minimally invasive therapeutic method for recurrent neck abscesses caused by third and fourth branchial cleft fistulas but also to suggest the possibility as the first diagnostic tool prior to imaging studies.