Branchial Cyst in Buffalo (Bubalus Bubalis): Diagnosis and Surgical Treatment

The current study aimed to investigate the most common surgical conditions in the pharyngeal area of buffalos through their diagnosis and further surgical management. Ten buffalos were attempted with smooth, fluctuating, painless swelling at the upper part of the neck. Exploratory cyst puncture showed the presence of milky fluid, bloody fluid and yellow viscous fluid in 6, 2 and 2 cases, respectively. Ultrasonography and histopathological examinations were performed to confirm the diagnosis of branchial cysts. Surgical excision was a controversial procedure. Branchial cyst ultrasonography showed an anechoic, fluid-filled structure with a hyperechoic capsule. Numerous tiny hyperechoic fimbriae were found to travel easily inside the liquid when the mass was palpated instantaneously. These were interpreted as potential fibrin or septa tags. Histologically, the cyst was lined with a simple squamous keratinized epithelium that greatly imitates the tissues of the skin. The hairy structure showed keratinized papillary tissues. The cyst under the epithelial layer was lined with mucous glands mixed with a few serous forms. The connective tissue was abundant in both blood vessels and nerve fibers. Surgical intervention to the handle the branchial cyst was curative without recurrence in any of these animals. Additional, exploratory puncture and ultrasonography provide accurate diagnosis and preoperative preparation for branchial cyst care in buffalo.