Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39883159›Full record

ArticleEuropean archives of oto-rhino-laryngology : official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery2025

First branchial cleft anomalies in children: long-term outcome in 16 patients.

M Moyaert, K Vandermaesen, Q-A Parys, P Delaere, J Meulemans, G Hens, R Hermans, V Vander Poorten

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Article in European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology : official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Imaging features and therapeutic approaches for congenital branchial anomalies in 1668 pediatric cases.European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology : official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery · 2026
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

M Moyaert *Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0002-5412-1484
K Vandermaesen *Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0008-5212-5020
Q-A ParysOtorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6209-4266
P DelaereOtorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5502-362X
J MeulemansOtorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1761-1222
G HensOtorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9690-7376
R HermansDepartment of Radiology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9935-5543
V Vander PoortenOtorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. vincent.vanderpoorten@uzleuven.be.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1341-829X

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionFirst branchial cleft anomalies (FBCA) are rare congenital head and neck malformations, often subject to incorrect diagnosis and treatment. We present our experience with FBCA, focusing on clinical presentation, diagnosis, perioperative relation to the facial nerve, surgical approach, complications and patient satisfaction.

methodsA consecutive cohort of 16 patients undergoing surgical treatment for FBCA between 1999 and 2021 was analyzed. Demographic and clinical information was extracted from their medical records. Additionally 14 patients were interviewed by telephone to assess postoperative outcomes and patient satisfaction using a Likert scale.

resultsSixteen patients (11 females, 5 males) were surgically treated at an age ranging from 7 months to 13 years. Type I and type II FBCA were evenly distributed. Lesions presented as cysts (n = 4), sinuses (n = 7) or fistulas (n = 5). The main symptoms were swelling, inflammation and discharge. Otologic symptoms were present in 31%. In 80% of patients, magnetic resonance imaging was needed to reach the correct diagnosis. Ten patients (63%) had a history of a surgical attempt in another center before definitive surgical treatment in our center. Complete excision was accomplished in all patients. Postoperative complications included limited Frey syndrome (n = 4), temporary hypertrophic scarring (n = 4), minimal paresis of the marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve (n = 1) and limited external auditory canal stenosis (n = 1). One patient experienced a recurrence at the level of the external auditory canal, that required minor revision surgery. The average patient satisfaction score was 13.64 out of 15.

conclusionThorough clinical examination, awareness of the different entities and awareness of expert head and neck radiological advice are crucial for correct FBCA diagnosis and typing, determining the correct surgical approach. It is crucial that patients diagnosed with FBCA undergo surgery in specialized centers. Despite the challenging surgery and its potential complications, the overall patient satisfaction remains high post- treatment.

Indexed as

Branchial RegionCraniofacial AbnormalitiesPharyngeal DiseasesAdolescentChildChild, PreschoolFemaleHumansInfantMagnetic Resonance ImagingMalePatient SatisfactionPostoperative ComplicationsRetrospective StudiesTreatment OutcomeChildrenCongenital first branchial cleft anomaliesPatient satisfaction

Identifiers

PMID39883159

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.