Third branchial cleft fistula infected with Actinomyces

SummaryA 16-year-old male with a 10-year history of recurrent left lateral neck swelling and an associated draining fistula was taken to surgery for excision of the fistula. Histologic examination of the surgical specimen demonstrated findings consistent with Actinomyces species. We suspect that this patient had a third branchial cleft fistula that was infected with Actinomyces.