Signs Of A Branchial Cleft Cyst And How It's Diagnosed

Fine Needle Aspiration

Diagnostic scans are a preferable means of examining a suspected branchial cleft cyst because they are non-invasive. However, a doctor may order fine needle aspiration for a more definite diagnosis. By drawing some of the fluid out of the cyst, the doctor can determine the nature of the object and the extent of any infection. Clear liquid indicates a normal branchial cleft cyst. If the liquid is yellow and pus-like, it indicates an infection in the cyst. The test will also examine what kind of cells are present in the object. A cyst is lined with squamous skin cells, the type of cells lining the hollow organs of the body. Cancerous cells indicate a growing tumor.