Vent Julia, Grier Candace G, Leopold Donald A, Heywood Barbara B
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, USA.
Ear Nose Throat J. 2008 Jan;87(1):48-50.
The embryologic development of the head and neck is directed by an ensemble ofnumero us genes. Embryologic malformations of the head and neck are rare. When they do occur, the most common are thyroglossal duct cysts and branchial anomalies. Most malformations are apparent at birth. Complete excision at an early stage is recommended to prevent complications such as infection. We describe an extremely rare case of bilateral branchial tracts in which there was evidence of a genetic etiology. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of familial bilateral branchial tracts to be described in the literature.