Unknown: a congenital nodule on the scapula

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Surgery
• Dermatology
• Congenital Abnormalities

Background:

• Cutaneous bronchogenic cysts are rare congenital malformations.
• These cysts typically arise from aberrant migration of foregut/tracheobronchial buds.
• Scapular location is exceptionally uncommon.

Observation:

• A 2-year-old boy presented with a growing, asymptomatic nodule on his right scapula, present since birth.
• The lesion was identified as a cutaneous bronchogenic cyst.
• Clinical presentation lacked pathognomonic symptoms, leading to poor recognition.

Findings:

• Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of cutaneous bronchogenic cyst.
• The proposed etiology involves aberrant migration of tracheobronchial accessory buds to the periscapular region.
• The cyst was asymptomatic but demonstrated gradual growth.

Implications:

• Complete surgical excision is crucial for definitive diagnosis and symptom relief.
• Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent potential complications like infection or malignancy.
• Increased clinical awareness is needed for prompt diagnosis of rare cutaneous bronchogenic cysts.