[Direct ethanol injection by median sternotomy for a bronchogenic cyst compressing the pulmonary artery and the left...

Bronchogenic cyst is a rare developmental lesion. It can cause symptoms only when infected or pressing on neighboring structures. A 56-year-old woman presenting with orthopnea and chest pain was found to have a bronchogenic cyst compressing the right pulmonary artery and the left atrial roof. The mass adhered to surrounding structures and complete resection of the mass seemed to be technically impossible. Accordingly, a direct ethanol injection therapy with median sternotomy approach was accomplished. After the procedure the patient's symptoms disappeared and the follow-up computed tomography 21 months later revealed no relapse. Though the complete resection of bronchogenic cysts is recommended to confirm the diagnosis, to prevent development of complications, and to avoid recurrences, ethanol injection therapy is still a valid option in some cases.