BRONCHOGENIC CYSTS OFTHE NECKIN ADULTS

Bronchogenic cysts are congenital sacs that result from maldevelopment of the primitive foregut. Although they occur predomi-nantly in the chest, there are reports of lesions in extrathoracic locations. The majority of reported bronchogenic cysts located in the neck are found in the pediatric population; a review of the literature reveals few reports of bronchogenic cysts of the neck among adults. The diagnosis of a bronchogenic cyst relies on the histology and location of the lesion. Here, we review our experience in the diagnosis and management of 2 adult patients with pathologically proven bronchogenic cysts. Both patients presented with solitary neck masses that proved to be bronchogenic cysts on histologic examination. Our purpose is to define the histopathologic and clinical characteristics of bronchogenic cysts and discuss the features that distinguish them from other cervical cysts. In conclusion, congenital bronchogenic cysts can occur in the neck of adults and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cystic cervical masses in adults, as well as children. KEY WORDS- adult, bronchogenic cyst, congenital cyst, neck. Fig 1. (Case I) T2-weighted axial magnetic resonance im-age of neck shows cystic mass in right lobe of thyroid gland. lesion ofthe right thyroid lobe (Fig 1). The results of thyroid function tests were within normal limits, and a chest x-ray was normal. The patient was subse-quently taken to the operating room for a right thy-roid lobectomy. The patient tolerated the procedure well and had an unremarkable hospital course. Pa-thology revealed an intrathyroidal, benign epithelial cyst. The cyst was lined with a simple, columnar, ciliated epithelium with a focus of chondroid tissue