Cervical bronchogenic cysts: usual and unusual clinical presentations.
OBJECTIVE
To discuss the clinical, radiologic, and histopathologic characteristics of cervical bronchogenic cysts.


METHODS
Retrospective case study using a pathologic database at our institution.


METHODS
Pediatric hospital.


METHODS
Eight patients with cervical bronchogenic cysts were identified in the past 13 years (January 1994 to December 2007).


METHODS
The patients' clinical presentations and surgical procedures are described.


RESULTS
Two cervical bronchogenic cysts were located on the cervical anterior midline, 5 were anterolateral suprasternal, and the other was paraspinal. One corresponded to an intralaryngeal and extralaryngeal cyst. One was associated with an ectopic thymus. No patient had been diagnosed as having a bronchogenic cyst before surgery. No major surgical complications were noted. There was no relapse after surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
Although rare, cervical bronchogenic cysts are difficult to differentiate clinically from other cystic cervical masses because their location, radiologic characteristics, and evolution can mimic those of any other cervical mass. Cervical cysts are usually a pathologic finding, showing respiratory-type epithelium, cartilage, mucinous glands, and smooth muscle fibers. They result from abnormal development of the tracheobronchial tree. Some atypical locations or associations may be explained by embryologic origin. The curative treatment consists of complete surgical resection. To our knowledge, this study represents the largest pediatric series published about cervical bronchogenic cysts.
Teissier
Natacha
N
Department of Pediatric Ear, Nose, and Throat, Robert Debré Hospital, 48 Bd Sérurier, 75019 Paris, France. natacha.teissier@rdb.aphp.fr
Elmaleh-Bergès
Monique
M
Ferkdadji
Latifa
L
François
Martine
M
Van den Abbeele
Thierry
T
D001994:Bronchogenic Cyst / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002828:Choristoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery; D009333:Neck / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D010038:Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013950:Thymus Gland; D014463:Ultrasonography