Bronchogenic cyst presenting as neck swelling in an adult: a case report

Bronchogenic Cyst in the Cervical Region: A Rare Entity - A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Bronchogenic cysts originate from the tracheobronchial bud, which arises from the embryonic foregut. Congenital bronchogenic cysts in the cervical region, especially in the thyroid or perithyroidal area, are extremely rare. Moreover, distinguishing them from other cervical cystic lesions such as thyroglossal duct and branchial cleft cysts and metastatic cervical lymph nodes is difficult preoperatively. In this report, we discuss a case of a 41-year-old woman who presented to us with a history of anterior neck swelling for two weeks with occasional palpitations and bilateral flank pain. On workup, she was diagnosed as a case of multiple neuroendocrine neoplasm type 2A for which she underwent adrenalectomy first followed by total thyroidectomy with central neck dissection and parathyroidectomy. On the final histopathology specimen, an incidental bronchogenic cyst was diagnosed. A bronchogenic cyst is a rare entity, especially in the head and neck region, and can be confused with a metastatic lymph node. Diagnosis is made based on the histopathological examination, which requires surgical excision. The bronchogenic cyst should be considered in the differential diagnosis for midline and lateral neck masses.

Bronchogenic cyst of the neck in an elder patient: A case report

INTRODUCTION

Bronchogenic cysts are rare malformations, mostly diagnosed in children. We report the rare case of a neck bronchogenic cyst diagnosed in an elderly patient.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

The patient complained of a long-standing submental mass. The diagnostic work-up resulted in a thyroglossal duct cyst diagnosis for which the patient underwent a Sistrunk procedure. However, the histological analysis of the lesion ultimately revealed a bronchogenic cyst.

DISCUSSION

Neck bronchogenic cysts are rare and, in adults, normally asymptomatic. Imaging exams can suggest the diagnosis but they are most important for surgical planning. Surgery is the elected treatment for bronchogenic cysts and the histopathologic exam of the specimen provides definitive diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

This case demonstrates than even though they are a rare diagnosis, bronchogenic cysts should be considered in the diagnostic work-up of neck cysts, even in elderly patients.