[Branchiogenic cysts registered at the Otolaryngology Clinic of Medical University in Wrocław in years 1989-1998].

Lateral branchiogenic cysts are relatively rare among neck tumours. However they belong to the most frequent developmental malformation in this area. Their etiology and pathogenesis is not fully explained yet. Over the period of ten years there were 76 patients hospitalized in our clinic with the diagnosis of the lateral branchiogenic cyst. Its prevalence was similar in both sexes and ranged from 3 months to 62 years of age. More than half of the patients were children. In 2 cases, a rare primary cancer rising from a branchiogenic cyst was diagnosed. Positive family history was observed in two children. Surgery was performed in 59 patients. Unsatisfactory results of the surgery were noted in 6 cases and 4 of them were reoperated because of the recurrence. In the case of brachiogenic cysts a full oncologic diagnostics should be performed, as it is done with neck tumour management. The procedures, which enable us to estimate character and extent of a lesion and determine the proper surgical treatment, should include ultrasonography, fine-needle biopsy or CT.