Branchial Cleft CystSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About Branchial Cleft Cyst
A branchial cleft cyst is a birth defect. It is caused when fluid fills a space, or sinus, left in the neck when a baby develops in the womb. After the baby is born, it appears as a lump in the neck or just below the jawbone.
Cleft sinus
Branchial cleft cysts form during development of the embryo. They occur when tissues in the neck area (branchial cleft) fail to develop normally.
The birth defect may appear as open spaces called cleft sinuses, which may develop on one or both sides of the neck. A branchial cleft cyst may form due to fluid in a sinus. The cyst or sinus can become infected.
The cysts are most often seen in children. In some cases, they are not seen until adulthood.
Symptoms may include any of the following:
- Small pits, lumps, or skin tags at either side of the neck or just below the jawbone
- Fluid drainage from a pit on the neck
- Noisy breathing (if the cyst is large enough to block part of the airway)
Antibiotics will be given if the cyst or sinuses are infected.
Surgery is generally needed to remove a branchial cleft cyst in order to prevent complications such as infections. If there is an infection when the cyst is found, surgery will likely be done after the infection has been treated with antibiotics. If there have been several infections before the cyst is found, it may be harder to remove.
Department Of Otolaryngology
David Myssiorek is an Otolaryngologist in Bronx, New York. Dr. Myssiorek is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Branchial Cleft Cyst. His top areas of expertise are Branchial Cleft Cyst, Familial Deafness, Tinnitus, Thyroidectomy, and Laryngectomy.
Greeneville ENT Specialists
. Dr. Abernathy is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Branchial Cleft Cyst. Her top areas of expertise are Throat Cancer, Laryngeal Cancer, Meniere Disease, Infant Hearing Loss, and Balloon Sinuplasty.
Northeast Atlanta ENT
Dr. Jeffrey Roth is a board-certified Otolaryngologist and earned his medical degree at the State University of New York at Syracuse, where he was nominated to the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society. He completed his training at the University of Miami, and received additional training in pediatric otolaryngology and otology at the Addenbrook’s Hospital in Cambridge, England. Dr. Roth is on staff at some of the top Atlanta hospitals including: Northside – Gwinnett Center and Emory Johns Creek Hospital.Dr. Roth is particularly interested in medical and surgical treatment of ear disease, sinus disease, and sleep apnea. As an ENT doctor, Dr. Roth has published numerous scientific articles in many medical journals. He has privileges at Emory-Johns Creek, Northside-Gwinnett, and Children’s Hospital of Atlanta (CHOA). Dr. Roth is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Branchial Cleft Cyst. His top areas of expertise are Infant Hearing Loss, DFNB1, Tinnitus, Balloon Sinuplasty, and Adenoidectomy.
Surgery is usually successful, with good results.
The cyst or sinuses may become infected if not removed. Repeated infections may make surgical removal more difficult.
Contact your child's provider for an appointment if you notice a small pit, cleft, or lump in your child's neck or upper shoulder, especially if fluid drains from this area.
Published Date: October 03, 2025
Published By: Mary Terrell, MD, NABBLM-C, IBCLC, Neonatologist, Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, Fayetteville, NC. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Altay MA, Baur DA. Management of branchial cleft cysts, sinuses, and fistulae. In: Tiwana PS, Kademani D, eds. Atlas of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 105.
Thatcher AL. Congenital and inflammatory neck masses in children. In: Lesperance MM, ed. Cummings Pediatric Otolaryngology. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 23.