Pre and postnatal diagnosis of a third branchial cleft cyst by sonography and magnetic resonance imaging with three-dimensional virtual reconstruction

Abstract

Branchial cleft cysts (BCCs) are common causes of cervical tumors in children and adulthood; however, prenatal diagnosis of BCC is rare. In neonates, these cysts can suddenly increase in size, causing airway obstruction and becoming a life-threatening condition. In this case report, we describe the prenatal diagnosis of a third BCC at the 25th week of pregnancy using ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, and three-dimensional virtual models, as well as the perinatal outcomes of this rare condition.

Keywords: 3D reconstruction models; MRI; branchial cleft cyst ultrasonography; obstetrics.