Congenital agenesis of unilateral parotid gland with ipsilateral type I first branchial cleft anomaly: A rare presentation

AimTo report a rare case of unilateral parotid agenesis with ipsilateral type I first branchial cleft anomaly.Material and methodsA case study with special emphasis on the embryology, outlining the complex developmental process of parotid and branchial arches and highlighting the probable reason for development of such anomalies.ResultsThe literature states that unilateral parotid agenesis is a rare entity with few reported cases occurring solely or in conjunction with other head and neck anomalies. In our attempts to find its association with first branchial cleft anomalies we found a single reported case of parotid agenesis with type II first branchial cleft anomaly; thus to the best of our knowledge this is first case of unilateral parotid agenesis with ipsilateral type I first branchial cleft anomaly.ConclusionsUnilateral parotid agenesis is usually asymptomatic and is generally diagnosed when it occurs along with other head and neck conditions.