A branchial cleft is a birth defect, meaning it develops in the womb as the baby grows. It occurs when the area does not develop as it should during the early stages of the baby’s growth.
The obvious signs of a branchial cleft cyst include a small or large lump on one side of your neck.
There are in fact two types of branchial cleft anomaly. The first is an internal cyst, which looks like a large lump protruding from your neck.
The second is a fistula, which forms as a sore on your neck and drains onto the surface of your skin.
A branchial cleft cyst can cause recurrent infections in the area. This means that your branchial cleft cyst can become infected when you have another infection, such as a cold, a cough or a sore throat.
If a branchial cleft cyst becomes infected, there will be swelling, redness, warmth to the touch and pain around the affected area. There may also be a discharge of pus, either when pressure is applied or spontaneously.