Abstract
Nasopharyngeal branchial cysts (NBCs) have been discussed in the literature in only
a limited number of publications. Differing from Tornwaldt cysts, NBCs present laterally
and arise from the fossa of Rosenmuller and may track superiorly within the bony confines
of the Eustachian tube. Initially patients are asymptomatic but may present with aural
fullness, unilateral conductive hearing loss, and serous otitis media as the cyst
mass grows. Two of our three patients had the lesion incidentally identified at the
time of assessment for another diagnosis. In this case series, imaging characteristics
and response to treatment are reviewed. A literature search was performed to summarize
the management options for this entity.
Keywords
nasopharyngeal branchial cysts - skull base - Tornwaldt cysts - mucus retention cysts
- nasopharyngeal cysts - marsupialization
