# The Purulent-Inflammatory Bronchogenic Cyst in the Context of a COVID-19 Infection: A Case Report

## TL;DR

This case report describes a rare infection of a bronchogenic cyst complicated by sepsis during a COVID-19 infection and the successful two-step surgical treatment.

## Contribution

The paper presents a unique case linking bacterial superinfection of a bronchogenic cyst with a concurrent COVID-19 infection.

## Key findings

- A mediastinal bronchogenic cyst became purulent and caused sepsis during a COVID-19 infection.
- A two-step surgical approach was safely used to treat the infected cyst.
- The transmission mechanism of the bacterial superinfection requires further study.

## Abstract

Bronchogenic cysts (BCs) are often incidental findings during imaging and can cause compressive symptoms depending on their location and size. Infections of mediastinal BCs are serious complications that can lead to life-threatening mediastinitis. The impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 on BCs remains largely undocumented. We present a unique case of a purulent-inflammatory mediastinal BC complicated by sepsis in the context of a Coronavirus Disease 2019 infection. The Coronavirus Disease 2019 infection may result in a bacterial superinfection of the BC. However, the transmission path requires further investigation. For the surgical excision, we opted for a two-step surgical approach: thoracoscopic incision and drainage in the acute setting, followed by elective thoracotomy and resection of the BC. We confirm the safety and favorable outcome of this approach.