Cystic Neck Masses

Cystic neck masses are commonly encountered on diagnostic imaging, either as the primary indication for the study or as incidental findings. Clinical factors such as patient age and presentation may narrow the differential diagnosis, but specific imaging characteristics are often the key to diagnosis. Computed tomography (CT) is the most commonly utilized imaging modality to evaluate the neck soft tissues, but magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound are useful adjuncts. While the list of possible cystic neck masses is long, these lesions may be broadly categorized as either congenital or acquired. Using this framework, this chapter aims to summarize and illustrate what radiology residents need to know about many of the most common congenital and acquired cystic neck masses encountered in clinical practice. For each entity, essential clinical and epidemiological information is provided, followed by the typical imaging characteristics expected for each imaging modality. Annotated figures for most entities are also provided.