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Differences in the distribution and presentation of bronchogenic cysts between adults and children
Jyun-Hong Jiang1, Shao-Lun Yen2, Shin-Yi Lee1
1The Department of Pediatric Surgery, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Insights
Bronchogenic cysts present differently in children and adults. Location and size significantly influence symptoms and detection, impacting diagnosis and treatment strategies for these rare congenital malformations.
Area of Science:
- Medical Science
- Pediatric Medicine
- Adult Medicine
Background:
- Bronchogenic cysts are uncommon congenital malformations.
- These cysts occur in both pediatric and adult populations.
- Distribution and presentation of bronchogenic cysts vary between age groups.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the distribution and presentation of bronchogenic cysts in infants and children versus adults.
- To identify factors influencing the clinical manifestation of bronchogenic cysts.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of pathological diagnoses of bronchogenic cysts over 14 years (1999-2012).
- Study population included 16 pediatric patients (7 days to 18 years) and 23 adult patients (20-78 years).
- Analysis of cyst distribution, presentation, and symptoms.
Main Results:
- Pediatric patients frequently presented with palpable masses (neck/skin) or respiratory symptoms (stridor) with mediastinal/pulmonary cysts.
- Adult patients often had asymptomatic cysts, detected incidentally or during screenings.
- Symptomatic adults presented with palpable masses or symptoms related to cyst location (neck, mediastinum, lung, retroperitoneum); cysts were larger in symptomatic adults.
Conclusions:
- Clinical presentation of bronchogenic cysts differs significantly between pediatric and adult patients.
- Cyst location is a key determinant of clinical manifestation.
- Cyst size likely plays a role in symptom development and presentation.
Background:
Bronchogenic cysts are rare congenital malformations that occur in adults and children, with differences in distribution and presentation.
Methods:
The study population comprised 16 infants and children (aged 7 days to 18 years) and 23 adults (aged 20-78 years) who received pathological diagnoses of bronchogenic cysts over a 14-year period (1999-2012). Cyst distribution and presentation were reviewed.
Results:
Half (8/16) of the infants and children presented with palpable masses in the neck (n=6) or on the skin (n=2), and only one (12.5%) presented with symptoms of mild stridor. Another eight pediatric patients had mediastinal (n=7) or pulmonary (n=1) bronchogenic cysts, and respiratory symptoms were present in six (75%) patients. Thirteen of 23 (56.5%) adult patients had asymptomatic cysts (neck, n=1; mediastinum, n=11; lung, n=1). Symptomatic presentations occurred in 10/23 (43.5%) patients, including 2 with palpable mass in the neck, 3 in the mediastinum, 4 in the lung, and 1 in the retroperitoneum. Among the 13 asymptomatic patients, 6 were identified during regular health screening, 5 during routine chest computed tomographic surveys for cancer, and 2 incidentally found during thyroid and parathyroid surgery. Bronchogenic cysts tended to be larger in symptomatic than in asymptomatic adults.
Conclusion:
The clinical spectra of bronchogenic cysts differ between adults and children and are closely related to cyst location and, probably, size.
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