[Metastatic cystic squamous cell carcinoma in the neck mistaken as primary branchial cleft carcinoma: a report of 4 cases].

OBJECTIVE

To raise the vigilance not to believe easily the diagnosis of a primary branchial cleft carcinoma.

METHODS

Four cases of cystic metastatic squamous cell carcinoma in the neck misdiagnosed as branchiogenic carcinoma from 1993 to 2002 in our hospital were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTS

The primary sites of these 4 cases were later discovered, 2 in the aryepiglottic fold, 1 in faucial tonsil and 1 in the skin of the head, respectively. The discovery of the primary sites ranged from the day of initial surgery to 41 months.

CONCLUSION

None of the cases reviewed in this study was a branchiogenic carcinoma. Therefore, the diagnosis of a primary branchial cleft carcinoma requires the fulfillment of strict criteria both clinically and pathologically.