Mediastinal Bronchogenic Cysts: Clinical Presentation, Diagnosis, and Treatment Outcomes

Background and aims: Bronchogenic cysts are rare mediastinal tumors caused by foregut malformations. Although surgery remains the definitive form of diagnosis and treatment, we can reach a diagnosis by imaging modalities. This retrospective study aims to analyze our experience with bronchogenic cysts and present a discussion of the demographics of patients, patient signs and symptoms, and cyst complications, as well as a surgical approach for resection and surgical outcomes for patients described in this study.Methods: This retrospective, descriptive cross-sectional study reviewed the medical records of 12 patients who were formally diagnosed with bronchogenic cysts by histopathology and treated surgically between 2010 and 2020. We reviewed the medical records of all patients, including age, location of the cyst, symptoms, complications, imaging techniques, and surgical interventions.Results: In total, twelve bronchogenic cyst cases were included. Eight mediastinal cysts (two intrathymic) and four intraparenchymal cysts. One patient was asymptomatic, and the remaining 11 were symptomatic. The most common symptoms were chest pain, dyspnea, and cough. Four cases suffered from severe bronchogenic cyst complications, of which three had pneumonia and one atelectasis. The longest axis of a bronchogenic cyst ranged from 2–11cm (mean = 4.52cm). All 12 patients underwent complete surgical resection of the cyst without postoperative complications or recurrence.Conclusion: Although bronchogenic cysts are rare, they should be considered in the differential diagnosis of diagnosing mediastinal tumors. In both symptomatic and asymptomatic cases, complete surgical resection is the best option to prevent future recurrence and complications, such as malignancy.