Bronchogenic Cyst, Mediastinal

Synonyms

Bronchial cyst

Definition

Bronchogenic cyst is a developmental anomaly formed from the primitive foregut that gives rise to pharynx, lower respiratory tract, and upper gastrointestinal tract. It is formed as an abnormal budding of the tracheobronchial tree during embryogenesis. It moves with respiration. They are usually asymptomatic but can cause symptoms if compressing trachea, bronchi, or esophagus.

Clinical Features

• Incidence

  Rare but the most common of all foregut cysts.

• Age

  Any age. Usually found in young adults.

• Sex

  Males and females are equally affected.

• Site

  Anterior mediastinum. May also be found in other parts of mediastinum and in the lung parenchyma.

• Treatment

  Surgery (for symptomatic cysts). Sometimes percutaneous needle aspiration is performed.

• Outcome

  Good.

Macroscopy

Unilocular or sometimes multilocular cyst with smooth inner and outer surface; wall of the cyst can vary in thickness. Often filled with mucus.

Microscopy

A cyst is lined by pseudostratified...