ABSTRACT
Lateral, cystic neck lumps the hyoid presenting in children are likely to have developed from an embryological remnant, such as the branchial cleft. The branchial system consists of arches, internal pouches and external grooves or clefts from which head and neck structures develop in utero. The cystic lesions typically arise along the lines of embryonic closure in the head and neck region. The embryology of the head and neck region is complex. Defective embryological development can result in congenital neck lesions. Thyroglossal duct cysts are the commonest congenital neck mass. Although present at birth, most commonly become clinically apparent in childhood but may present in adulthood. Vascular tumours are benign endothelial neoplasms. The type most frequently encountered is infantile haemangioma; however, rarer vascular tumours in infancy such as angiosarcoma or kaposiform haemangioendothelioma may also arise in the head and neck region.
