Recurrent mediastinal bronchogenic cyst. Cause of bronchial obstruction and compression of superior vena cava and pulmonary artery

A case of emergent operation for a life-threatening infectious mediastinal cyst

PURPOSE

Congenital mediastinal cysts are an uncommon but important diagnostic group. Most of these cysts are benign and asymptomatic in adults. However, some of them are clinically problematic due to the compression of neighboring organs, infection, or perforation.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 20-year-old man presented with severe dyspnea. Imaging revealed a mediastinal cyst in the subcarinal space compressing his right pulmonary artery and airway, which was later diagnosed as a bronchogenic cyst. Due to quick symptom exacerbation, emergent cyst wall fenestration was performed through video-assisted thoracic surgery with "stand-by" extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Complete cyst resection was difficult owing to adhesion of the cyst to the surrounding organs. The symptoms immediately resolved after surgery and the postoperative course was uneventful.

CONCLUSION

Mediastinal bronchogenic cysts with life-threatening complications are rarely reported in adults. However, this case was life-threatening due to airway and vascular compression; emergent surgical care should be considered in such cases.

Single institutional experience with primary mediastinal cysts: clinicopathological study of 108 resected cases

PURPOSE

To review our institutional surgical outcomes with primary mediastinal cysts (PMCs) and elucidate the clinicopathological differences among several histological PMC variants.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 108 patients who underwent surgery for PMC at our institution between 1997 and 2012.

RESULTS

There were 54 thymic cysts (TCs), 26 bronchogenic cysts (BCs), 16 mature cystic teratomas (MCTs), 11 pericardial cysts (PCs), and 1 esophageal duplication cyst. Surgical approach was via thoracoscopy in 44, thoracotomy in 24, median sternotomy in 39, and hemiclamshell incision in 1. Pathological complete resection was achieved in all patients. Postoperative complications occurred in 13 patients. There was no postoperative mortality. All patients were recurrence-free after a mean follow up of 41 ± 26 months. MCT was significantly associated with larger cyst size (p <0.001) more frequent combined resection of invaded organs (p <0.001), more intraoperative bleeding (p = 0.005), and longer duration of operation (p = 0.022) than the 3 other groups (TC, BC, and PC).

CONCLUSION

Surgical treatment for PMC is safe and efficacious regardless of approach. Patients with MCT may require more aggressive surgeries than those with other histological variants, reflecting their potential for invasion into surrounding structures and larger cyst size.

Bronchogenic cysts in adults: frequently mistaken for a solid mass on computed tomography

BACKGROUND

Bronchogenic cysts are congenital malformations and are often detected in asymptomatic patients as an incidental finding. Growth can cause compression of airways and vessels, resulting in clinical symptoms and possible complications. On computed tomography (CT) scans, bronchogenic cysts frequently have the appearance of a solid tumor. We describe diagnostic strategy and management for patients with bronchogenic cysts.

METHODS

Retrospective case study of 11 adults diagnosed with a bronchogenic cyst. The CT scan of all patients was revised and localization, size, Hounsfield Units (HU), and appearance (cystic or solid) of the lesions were reported. Lesions were arbitrarily considered cystic or solid when the radiographic density was below or above 20 HU, respectively.

RESULTS

Eleven adults with a bronchogenic cyst were followed for at least 2 years after diagnosis. Eight of 11 detected lesions were judged as a solid lesion, based on the radiographic density (in HU) on CT images. Nine of 11 patients were treated by surgical resection. Two asymptomatic patients were not operated and remained asymptomatic without enlargement of the cysts during 2 years follow-up. Complications of resection were post-operative bleeding (n = 1), recurrent pneumothorax (n = 1), and recurrence of the cyst (n = 1). No mortality was observed.

CONCLUSION

Bronchogenic cysts are frequently mistaken for a solid mass on CT scans. Further differentiation can be made by MRI or EUS when CT is inconclusive.

Surgery for bronchogenic cysts: always easy?

A few cases of major complications after surgery for bronchogenic cyst have been reported. The purpose of this study was to analyze the complicated and unusual cases among 30 consecutive patients with bronchogenic cysts treated surgically at our institution between 1975 and 2007. There were 3 cases of mediastinal bronchogenic cyst characterized by significant surgical complications or very unusual pathological findings. The operations were performed through a thoracotomy in 25 patients, and by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in 5. Two patients suffered iatrogenic injury of the contralateral main bronchus during excision of a mediastinal cyst; in one of them, late development of foreign body granuloma was related to migration towards the bronchial wall of cyanoacrylate used to reinforce suturing of the bronchial tear. Histological examination of one resected specimen showed a large-cell anaplastic carcinoma arising from the wall of a mediastinal bronchogenic cyst. Bronchogenic cysts should be excised before they become symptomatic or infected, which leads to more difficult surgery and complications. The small risk of developing malignancy within a bronchogenic cyst also justifies early intervention.

Infrared illumination during thoracoscopic excision of mediastinal bronchogenic cysts

Bronchogenic cysts are congenital abnormalities that occur due to abnormal development of the ventral foregut. Most share a common wall with the esophagus. Excision is indicated to prevent complications such as mass effect or infection. Thoracoscopic resection has been previously described. Injury to the adjacent esophagus is a potential complication due to its close proximity, and placement of an esophageal bougie is often used to help identify the esophagus. We describe a technique utilizing the InfraVision Esophageal Kit (Stryker Endoscopy, San Jose, California) to assist in the illumination of the esophagus during dissection of mediastinal bronchogenic cysts in 3 children. The system consists of an infrared light-emitting probe and an infraredsensing endoscopic camera. The probe is easily placed prior to surgery, and allows for easy identification of the esophagus. It also clarifies the dissection plane between the cyst and the esophagus. This technique facilitates dissection of mediastinal cysts and helps avoid injury to the esophagus. It was found to be safe and effective in 3 children. The system may be applicable to other esophageal operations such as Nissen fundoplication or Heller myotomy.

[Mediastinal bronchogenic cyst associated with high serum level of CA19-9--a surgical case report]

We reported a case of mediastinal bronchogenic cyst in a patient with a high serum level of CA19-9. The patient, a 41-year-old man, presented with a complaint of persistent fever. Chest X-ray examination, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed a subcarinal mass shadow which was diagnosed preoperatively as a bronchogenic cyst. The serum level of CA19-9 was 73 U/ml. The cyst was partially removed via right thoracotomy. Histopathological findings were compatible with bronchogenic cyst. The CA19-9 level in the specimen was 134,00 U/ml. The serum level of CA19-9 decreased to normal postoperatively. The postoperative course was uneventful.

Recurrent bronchogenic pseudocyst 24 years after incomplete excision. Report of a case

Bronchogenic cysts (BCs) are uncommon congenital anomalies. Due to the inherent complications, the mere presence of a BC should warrant surgical therapy. Partial excision of these structures leads to recurrence. Complete surgical excision using a thoracotomy or video-assisted thoracic surgery is the goal. We report a case of recurrent bronchogenic pseudocyst 24 years after initial excision. This case supports the argument for complete surgical excision of BCs at the time of diagnosis.

Bronchogenic cysts of the mediastinum

During a 25-year period 69 patients whose ages ranged from 1 day to 64 years were treated for bronchogenic cyst of the mediastinum. The male-to-female sex ratio was 1:0.76. The cysts were symptomatic in 63.7%, compressive in 43.4%, and life threatening in 2.8% of cases. Symptoms and signs of compression were more frequent in infants and children than in adults. Such symptoms and signs were more dependent on the location of the cyst than on its volume. The preoperative diagnosis was wrong in 16% of cases. The cysts were approached through thoracotomy in 67 cases, including one conversion from thoracoscopy, and through cervicotomy and mediastinoscopy in one case each. The cysts opened into the respiratory tract in five cases. No communication with the esophageal lumen was observed. The cystic contents were apparently infected in three cases, but samples remained sterile at culture. There was one hospital death caused by a centrally located compressive cyst that was undiagnosed at thoracotomy. The postoperative morbidity rate was 13.4%. There were no further symptoms after operation in children, but five adults reported continuing pain or dyspnea. Resection of bronchogenic cysts is recommended because of uncertainties in diagnosis and in evolution.

Endoscopic unroofing of a bronchogenic cyst

Flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FFB) has become common practice for pediatric pulmonologists, allowing easier detection of certain abnormalities at an earlier stage. We report the endoscopic diagnosis of a large mediastinal bronchogenic cyst and its successful endoscopic unroofing in a symptomatic baby.

Superior vena cava syndrome caused by a right apical tense bulla

Superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome is caused by several diseases, although to our knowledge, a bullous lesion has not been reported previously. In the present case, severe pleural adhesion prevented the expanding bulla from stretching the visceral pleura and from compressing the residual lung, subsequently causing compression of the SVC and thus SVC syndrome.

Bronchogenic cyst: a cause of pulmonary artery obstruction and breathlessness

A young woman presenting with breathlessness and a normal chest roentgenogram was found to have unilateral absent lung perfusion on an isotope scan. This was due to a bronchogenic cyst obstructing the right pulmonary artery. This is a rare cause of unilateral absence of lung perfusion and an unusual mode of presentation of a bronchogenic cyst.

Surgical management and radiological characteristics of bronchogenic cysts

Forty-two patients with bronchogenic cysts were treated over a 30-year period (1962 to 1991). The location was mediastinal in 37 and intrapulmonary in 5. Cysts were symptomatic in 21 patients (50%) and complications occurred in 11 (26%). The complications included infection in 5 patients, hemorrhage into the cyst in 2 patients, dysphagia due to esophageal compression in 2, adenocarcinoma arising from a bronchogenic cyst in an 8 1/2-year-old girl, and an esophagobronchopleurocutaneous fistula as a result of previous incomplete resection in 1 patient. Magnetic resonance imaging has been found to provide specific diagnostic information about bronchogenic cysts. All but 2 patients were treated with complete excision. One patient was managed by observation and another had drainage of the cyst by mediastinoscopy. Complications of treatment occurred in only 2 patients. One had a minor wound infection and the other had Clostridium difficile enterocolitis. Only 4 patients were lost to follow-up. No late complication or recurrence developed in those patients having complete excision. We recommend complete excision in most instances to confirm the diagnosis, relieve symptoms, and prevent complications.

Asymptomatic bronchogenic cysts: what is the best management?

The management of patients with uncomplicated bronchogenic cysts has evolved over the last decade with the development of more precise diagnostic techniques and a better understanding of the variable natural history of these lesions. Although an aggressive surgical approach is still indicated for infants and children, it is acceptable to treat asymptomatic bronchogenic cysts in adults in a conservative manner. Observation alone may be indicated for small, classic, asymptomatic cysts. The use of mediastinoscopy or percutaneous or transbronchial needle techniques for carinal or paratracheal cysts offers the option of fluid aspiration or wall biopsy, thus avoiding thoracotomy. An air-fluid level in the cyst, the presence of malignant cells in the aspirate or biopsy, the development of symptoms, or enlargement or recurrence of the cyst on follow-up examination mandates complete surgical removal at thoracotomy. This is also indicated for intraparenchymal bronchogenic cysts, which are more prone to bronchial communication and infectious complications and for which the distinction from a carcinoma with a cystic component may be difficult.

Bronchogenic cysts

Between 1967 and 1987, 26 patients with bronchogenic cysts were treated in our institution: 15 females and 11 males, ranging in age from 2 months to 14 years (average 6 years, 4 months). Only four patients (15%) were 1 year old or less. Seven patients presented with asymptomatic lesions discovered on chest film. Nineteen patients presented with respiratory symptoms. Of note are the four patients aged 1 year or less, who presented with dyspnea and cyanotic spells. Only one of them presented with dysphagia. All patients underwent routine chest films and tomography and, later, computed tomography (CT) scan of the thorax once the study became available. Barium esophagogram and bronchoscopy were performed as required. Contrary to what has been published concerning the intraparenchymal location of bronchogenic cysts, the majority of the cysts (65%) were located in the mediastinum, usually in close proximity to the carina, mainstem bronchi, trachea, esophagus, or pericardium. Only 27% (7 of 26) were intraparenchymal, and 8% (2 of 26) were situated in the inferior pulmonary ligament. A correct preoperative diagnosis was made in 19 patients (73%). Intrapulmonary lesions were removed by segmentectomy or lobectomy. Cysts located elsewhere were simply excised. Among the cysts adhering to the trachea, 50% (two of four) required suture of the membranous trachea after excision. Postoperative complications included one pneumonia, which responded to antibiotics, and one transient paresis of the right phrenic nerve. Follow-up averaged 17 months (range, 0 to 17 years). No sequelae were noted and all patients were cured.

Asymptomatic bronchogenic cyst of the mediastinum

Bronchogenic cysts of the mediastinum are benign anomalies of the ventral foregut. The majority of adult patients are asymptomatic. Chest roentgenograms and computed tomographic scans are the primary diagnostic tools. Other procedures may be required, depending on the presentation and the entities being considered. Thoracotomy and complete resection are the recommended treatment. The patient described here represents a typical case of asymptomatic bronchogenic cyst detected on routine roentgenography.

Foregut cysts of the mediastinum. Results in 20 consecutive surgically treated cases

Mediastinal cysts of foregut origin represent an important diagnostic group. Classified according to their anomalous embryonic origins, they include bronchogenic, esophageal, enteric, and nonspecific cysts. A series of 20 consecutive surgically treated cases from the thoracic surgical service of a large medical center is reported, all successfully resolved without mortality. Described are 12 bronchogenic, four enterogenous, and four nonspecific cysts, occurring in a variety of thoracic locations. Close attention to symptomatology reveals a wide range of manifestations, from total absence of symptoms to life-threatening respiratory distress. Definitive diagnosis was accomplished in some cases by means of noninvasive radiologic techniques, while angiography, bronchoscopy, and esophagoscopy were also useful in selected instances. Operative therapy consisted of complete excision if possible or partial excision if adhesion to intrathoracic bodies had occurred.