Branchial cleft cyst versus dermoid cyst of digastric triangle: report of two cases.

Lateral neck soft tissue masses manifests with variable etiologies, clinical signs and symptoms. Although these lesions are congenital in nature, manifestations of these may not occur until adulthood. Also some of these lesions may undergo malignant transformations.We present two cases with lateral neck swellings which were excised successfully under general anaesthesia and later confirmed histopathologically as dermoid and branchial cleft cysts.Formulation of an appropriate diagnosis is necessary and requires a clinician to bear a host of skills to systematically arrive at a correct treatment plan. Use of advanced imaging techniques such as ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging along with proper knowledge of anatomy, pathology and application of basic surgical principles goes a long way in successful and uneventful management of such lesions, as these may overlap many important neurovascular structures or may in turn be wrapped by them.