Treatment of Branchial Cleft Cyst
In case of absence of symptoms, the otolaryngologist keeps the patient under observation for 10-12 days. This allows him to collect sufficient data about the neck mass. The patients with suspected cysts of this type, which show the symptoms that do not regress in 7-10 days, are brought either under specialty medical care to head and neck surgery, or to general operation. When the cysts are infected, they are cured with a round of antibiotics. However, the definitive management of such a neck mass is a complete surgical removal. It can be performed only when the infection has been treated completely. The surgery involves a set of horizontal incisions to take out the cyst. Surgical treatment is not recommended for patients who are under the age of three months. Fortunately, such cases are rare.

There are a few cases reported to have shown failure towards surgery. Such patients have to undergo sclerotherapy, a type of cosmetic therapy, with a specific sclerosing agent, OK-432. It involves complete removal of fluid from the cyst, followed by the injection of the sclerosing agent. This results in disappearance of the cyst.

Branchial cleft cysts are prone to infections. This aggravates the discomfort and uneasiness caused. Therefore, if you notice the symptoms in your neck or collarbone, you need to immediately book an appointment with an otolaryngologist. Timely medical intervention will treat it effectively.