The most frequent site of branchial cyst is at
The branchial cyst is common in the second decade of life but can occur at any age with equal frequency in both sexes. Cyst presents as a swelling in the upper pa of the neck anterior to the sternocleidomastoid muscle. Mass is smooth, round, fluctuant, non-tender and not transilluminate. A painful increase in size at the time of upper respiratory infection can occur. Anomalies of the second branchial arch are the most common. A brachial cyst maybe associated with sinus or fistula. A second arch brachial sinus has an external opening at junction of lower and middle of the anterior border of sternomastoid and may exude mucoid discharge. It may have an internal opening in the tonsillar fossa. Treatment involves surgical excision along with its tract of the present. (Ref: Textbook of diseases of ENT, PL Dhingra, 7th edition, pg no. 446,447)
Upper third of posterior border of sternocleidomastoid
Upper third of anteromedial border of sternocleidomastoid
Supraclavicular fossa
Lower third of anterior border of sternocleidomastoid
Miscellaneous ENT