A rare presentation of bronchogenic cyst as dysphagia

Abstract

Introduction Bronchogenic cysts are congenital foregut malformations that develop due to abnormal budding of the embryonic foregut and tracheobronchial tree. They are usually mediastinal or intrapulmonary, but can rarely be located in the lower neck. The mediastinal location is more common, and bronchogenic cysts comprise of up to 40-50% of all congenital mediastinal cysts. Although bronchogenic cysts are usually detected incidentally, 45% of patients will develop symptoms in their lifetime. This may be related to the location of the cyst rather than cyst size; cysts located above the hilum pose a higher risk for compressive symptoms. We report a case of paratracheal air cyst causing dysphagia, which was ultimately treated by surgical resection.