Bailey classification of second branchial cleft cysts

Last revised by Francis Deng on 3 Nov 2021

Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data

Citation:

Gaillard F, Deng F, Tatco V, et al. Bailey classification of second branchial cleft cysts. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 20 Apr 2024) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-6320

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-6320

Permalink:

https://radiopaedia.org/articles/6320

rID:

6320

Article created:

6 Jun 2009, Frank Gaillard ◉ ◈

Disclosures:

At the time the article was created Frank Gaillard had no recorded disclosures.

View Frank Gaillard's current disclosures

Last revised:

3 Nov 2021, Francis Deng ◉

Disclosures:

At the time the article was last revised Francis Deng had no recorded disclosures.

View Francis Deng's current disclosures

Revisions:

8 times, by 7 contributors - see full revision history and disclosures

Systems:

Head & Neck

Sections:

Classifications

Synonyms:

Bailey classification of 2nd branchial cleft cysts

The Bailey classification of second branchial cleft cysts defines the anatomic location of second branchial cleft cysts in four categories, from superficial to deep. This classification was initially proposed by Bailey in 1929 ²and remains the most widely used classification system because it gives a sense of the potential locations of these lesions and helps to frame a description.

type I: between the platysma and sternocleidomastoid muscle
type II: between sternocleidomastoid muscle and submandibular gland, lateral to the carotid sheath
type III: extends between the internal and external carotid arteries
type IV: medial to the carotid sheath, in the parapharyngeal space or pharyngeal mucosal space opening into the oropharynx

Among these, type II is the most common and corresponds to the classic description of these lesions in the submandibular space ^3,4. A beak, tail, or notch sign of cyst extension between the internal and external carotid arteries indicates a Bailey type III cyst ⁵.