# Subdiaphragmatic bronchogenic cysts: Case report and literature review

## TL;DR

This paper reports a rare case of a subdiaphragmatic bronchogenic cyst in a 36-year-old man and reviews 24 new cases, highlighting the diagnostic challenges and successful surgical treatment.

## Contribution

The paper adds 24 new cases to the literature on subdiaphragmatic bronchogenic cysts and emphasizes the importance of surgical resection for favorable outcomes.

## Key findings

- Subdiaphragmatic bronchogenic cysts are rare and often present with nonspecific symptoms like abdominal pain.
- Surgical resection is the optimal treatment, with excellent prognosis and no recurrence observed in the reported case.
- The review of 24 new cases reinforces the diagnostic challenges due to the rarity and non-specific clinical features of these cysts.

## Abstract

Bronchogenic cysts are rare congenital malformations of the respiratory tract, arising from abnormal budding of the foregut during embryogenesis. Clinical manifestations vary by location and complications, ranging from asymptomatic to causing respiratory distress in newborns or recurrent respiratory issues in adults. Subdiaphragmatic bronchogenic cysts are extremely rare, with only a limited number of case reports published. They often present without symptoms or with nonspecific symptoms such as abdominal pain. Diagnosis typically relies on histopathologic analysis of excised biopsies performed during surgery. Due to their rarity and lack of distinctive clinical features, these cysts pose significant diagnostic challenges.

A 36-year-old Iranian man, presented with a 5-month history of abdominal pain. Abdominal sonography revealed a cystic lesion posterior to the liver. An aspiration biopsy indicated an inflammatory process. An abdominal CT scan without contrast reported a right subdiaphragmatic cyst measuring 68 × 52 × 48 mm with a pressure effect on the liver. The diagnosis was uncertain. The cyst was surgically removed, and histopathologic studies confirmed it to be a bronchogenic cyst. The patient had an uneventful recovery with no recurrence after six months.

In addition to presenting our case report, we reviewed recent literature and added 24 new cases to the previously identified 100 cases of subdiaphragmatic bronchogenic cysts. Subdiaphragmatic bronchogenic cysts are rare lesions with no specific presentation, making diagnosis extremely challenging.

SBC is a benign lesion. Most patients are asymptomatic; however, due to the favorable prognosis following resection surgery, it remains the optimal management strategy.

•The article focuses on subdiaphragmatic bronchogenic cysts, a rare congenital anomaly of the respiratory system, typically found below the diaphragm.•A case report of a 36-year-old Iranian man with abdominal pain, diagnosed with a subdiaphragmatic bronchogenic cyst after imaging and surgical intervention.•Due to their rarity and nonspecific symptoms, these cysts pose significant diagnostic challenges.•Complete surgical resection is the optimal treatment strategy, with an excellent prognosis post-surgery.•The article reviews 24 new cases of subdiaphragmatic bronchogenic cysts.

The article focuses on subdiaphragmatic bronchogenic cysts, a rare congenital anomaly of the respiratory system, typically found below the diaphragm.

A case report of a 36-year-old Iranian man with abdominal pain, diagnosed with a subdiaphragmatic bronchogenic cyst after imaging and surgical intervention.

Due to their rarity and nonspecific symptoms, these cysts pose significant diagnostic challenges.

Complete surgical resection is the optimal treatment strategy, with an excellent prognosis post-surgery.

The article reviews 24 new cases of subdiaphragmatic bronchogenic cysts.