Revisiting Imaging Features and the Embryologic Basis of Third and Fourth Branchial Anomalies

Abstract

Branchial sinuses arising from the pyriform fossa often present with an inflammatory neck mass involving the thyroid lobe, most often on the left side. Imaging and surgical findings suggest that they arise from the embryonal thymopharyngeal duct of the third branchial pouch, because they do not follow the hypothetic course of third or fourth arch fistulas.