Cystic schwannoma of the cervical plexus masquerading as a type II second branchial cleft cyst.

This case illustrates the rare occurrence of a cystic schwannoma of the neck, presenting clinically and ultrasonographically as a type II second branchial cleft cyst. Histology demonstrated that it was in fact a rare cystic schwannoma, most likely arising from the cervical plexus. This is the first documented case of a cystic schwannoma of the neck being mistaken for a type II second branchial cleft cyst based on clinical and ultrasound findings alone. It suggests that more sophisticated radiological investigations, such as magnetic resonance imaging, may enable accurate diagnosis of a cystic schwannoma of the neck pre-operatively.

Ultrasound evaluation of liver disease in cystic fibrosis as part of an annual assessment clinic: a 9-year review.

AIM: To review 9 years of annual assessment data in cystic fibrosis (CF) and evaluate the frequency of hepatobiliary abnormalities and the correlation between ultrasound and biochemical findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Over a 9-year period (1990-99), 168 children (age range 1-18 years) with CF have undergone an annual assessment which has included clinical, biochemical and ultrasonographic evaluation of the hepatobiliary system. We have retrospectively reviewed the sequential ultrasound reports and correlated them with the contemporaneous biochemical results. RESULTS: A total of 725 ultrasound examinations were performed over the review period. Sixty patients had at least one examination showing an abnormality of liver echo texture and in 39 patients this was a persisting finding. Seven patients (4.2%) developed frank cirrhotic change on ultrasound criteria, while 15 patients (8.9%) had evidence of persistent splenomegaly. Gall-bladder calculi were present in 4.8%. In 176 examinations (24%) there was disparity between the ultrasound findings and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels. In 3.0% of cases (five patients) there were persisting abnormalities of liver echo texture and persisting splenomegaly with a normal range AST value. CONCLUSION: No perfect method of assessing hepatobiliary involvement in CF is currently available. Ultrasonographic and biochemical assessment may reflect different aspects of disease progression. Routine use of ultrasound in annual assessment allows identification of a minority of patients with liver changes but with normal biochemistry.