Surgical excision of a branchial cyst in a dog

A 6-year-old spayed Cavalier King Charles was presented with a reoffending subcutaneous swelling in the region of the left jaw. Based on the clinical and ultrasonographic findings, a sialocele of the left parotid salivary gland was suspected. Surgical excision of the left parotid salivary gland was recommended. During surgical exploration, cystic processes in the left parotid salivary gland as well as a more ventrally localized cyst were observed. The parotid and the adjacent cyst were excised. Based on the histopathological findings, a branchial cyst was diagnosed. Apart from a temporary mild paralysis of the facial nerve, the dog recovered well. To date, more than a year later, no recurrence has been observed.