Cervical bronchogenic cyst mimicking thyroglossal cyst: case report and literature review

Bronchogenic cysts are rare congenital malformations of ventral foregut development, often with an intrathoracic location. Presentation at the cervical region is very rare.

We present the case of a 29-year-old female who demonstrated a 3-cm medial neck mass in relation to the hyoid cartilage. The mass was painless with a rubbery consistency, moving with tongue movements. Cervical ultrasonography and thyroid scan were suggestive of nonfunctioning thyroglossal cyst. Histopathological examination revealed the presence of a cervical bronchogenic cyst.

Cervical bronchogenic cyst is a rare congenital malformation that usually appears as a painless neck mass. Imaging findings are not specific for differentiating thyroid, thyroglossal, branchial or thymus cyst; therefore, clinical observation of an asymptomatic lateral neck mass in an adult should include the possibility of a bronchogenic cyst in the differential diagnosis.