Bronchogenic cyst

A bronchogenic cyst is a rare congenital malformation that arises from abnormal budding of the embryonic foregut (tracheobronchial tree) during early fetal development. These cysts are lined with respiratory epithelium and are typically filled with mucoid or serous fluid. They most commonly occur in the mediastinum (the central compartment of the chest between the lungs), particularly near the carina or main bronchi, but can also be found within the lung parenchyma or, less frequently, in ectopic locations such as the neck, pericardium, or below the diaphragm. Bronchogenic cysts primarily affect the respiratory system. Many bronchogenic cysts are asymptomatic and discovered incidentally on chest imaging performed for other reasons. When symptoms do occur, they may include persistent cough, dyspnea (difficulty breathing), chest pain, dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), and recurrent respiratory infections. In infants and young children, large cysts can cause significant airway compression leading to respiratory distress, stridor, or feeding difficulties. Complications can include cyst infection, hemorrhage into the cyst, and, rarely, malignant transformation. The diagnosis is typically established through imaging studies such as chest X-ray, computed tomography (CT), or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The definitive treatment for bronchogenic cysts is surgical excision, which is generally recommended even for asymptomatic cysts due to the risk of future complications including infection, enlargement, and the rare possibility of malignant change. Surgical approaches include thoracotomy or, increasingly, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). The prognosis after complete surgical resection is excellent, with low recurrence rates.

Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.

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