A Rare Case of an Abdominal Pedunculated Bronchogenic Cyst

TL;DR

A rare case of an abdominal bronchogenic cyst connected to the oesophagus was successfully treated with laparoscopic surgery.

Contribution

This case report highlights the feasibility of laparoscopic removal for an atypically located bronchogenic cyst in the abdomen.

Findings

A 34-year-old male was diagnosed with an abdominal bronchogenic cyst connected to the oesophagus.

Laparoscopic exploration confirmed the diagnosis and allowed safe removal of the cyst.

Post-operative follow-up showed total recovery with no complications.

Abstract

Bronchogenic cysts (BC) are rare congenital malformations that result from abnormal budding of the primitive foregut. Most of these cysts are located in the mediastinum or the lungs. Rarely, abdominal BCs result from embryonic budding migrating below the diaphragm prior to the fusion of the pleuroperitoneal membranes. We present a case of a 34-year-old male patient undergoing evaluation for bronchopneumopathy. Preoperative imaging revealed a well-circumscribed cystic lesion adjacent to the colon, which failed to provide a definitive diagnosis due to its atypical location and nonspecific radiological features. The patient underwent laparoscopic exploration. During the intervention, we discovered a BC connected to the oesophagus. Histopathological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of a BC, demonstrating ciliated pseudostratified epithelium and bronchial wall elements. Follow-up examinations confirmed an unremarkable post-operative course and total recovery. BC are most commonly identified during early childhood and are typically located in the mediastinum or lungs. They should also be considered in the differential diagnosis of incidentally discovered abdominal cystic lesions. There is no consensus on the standard of care; however, surgery provides favorable clinical results and a low risk of morbidity. Our case illustrates that laparoscopic removal is a safe and feasible option when malignancy has been carefully excluded.

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