First branchial cleft cysts in a UK paediatric tertiary centre: A 10-year single-centre case series

In this paediatric series, first branchial arch cleft anomalies most commonly presented as persistent left-sided sinuses with purulent discharge. MRI was commonly used for preoperative assessment. Surgical excision was associated with wound infection in a minority and transient marginal mandibular weakness in several cases. Larger multi-centre series with systematic prospective follow-up are needed.