Giant retroperitoneal bronchogenic cyst mimicking a cystic teratoma: A case report

Retroperitoneal bronchogenic cysts (RBCs) are regarded as a rare type of congenital dysplasia disease that stems from the primitive foregut. Thus far, the exact pathogenesis of RBCs remains unknown. Due to an atypical clinical manifestation, RBCs are often incidentally detected and diagnosed by imaging modalities, such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. However, they are easily misdiagnosed due to their non-specific imaging features. Additionally, the most appropriate treatment strategy for an RBC is considered to be surgical resection. The present study reports the rare case of a 36-year-old female with a large RBC containing fatty fluid that was previously misdiagnosed as liposarcoma or cystic teratoma. Following a complex surgical resection, pathological findings confirmed a diagnosis of RBC. The follow-up examination showed that the patient was in good health at 16 months post-surgery, with no evidence of recurrence. Although rare, bronchogenic cysts must be considered in the differential diagnosis of retroperitoneal teratoma, and surgical resection should be pursued for symptom resolution and to establish a definitive histology.