Collaural fistula (Work Type II first branchial cleft anomaly) with prolonged morbidity: A case report

Dorji Penjor; Morimasa Kitamura

doi:10.1177/2050313X211014515

Collaural fistula (Work Type II first branchial cleft anomaly) with prolonged morbidity: A case report

SAGE Open Med Case Rep. 2021 May 13:9:2050313X211014515. doi: 10.1177/2050313X211014515. eCollection 2021.

Authors

Dorji Penjor¹, Morimasa Kitamura²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital, Thimphu, Bhutan.
² Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.

Abstract

Collaural fistula is a very rare Work Type II first branchial cleft anomaly in which there is a complete fistulous tract between external auditory canal and the neck. Misdiagnosis and mismanagement can lead to prolonged morbidity and complications due to repeated infections. We present a case of an 18-year-old lady with a recurrent discharging sinus on her neck for 4 years. She has been treated with repeated incision and drainage and multiple antibiotics in the past. Otoscopic examination revealed an opening on the floor of the left external auditory canal. A diagnosis of an infected collaural fistula was made. Complete excision of the fistulous tract was done after treatment of the active infection. On follow-up, there was no further recurrence at 1 year. Sound knowledge of embryology of branchial anomalies with good history and examination is important to make correct and early diagnosis to prevent morbidity.

Keywords: Branchial anomaly; branchial cleft; collaural fistula; neck abscess; otolaryngology.

Publication types

Case Reports