Back pain with a congenital cyst of the esophagus

We report a 31-year-old man with a bronchogenic type of congenital esophageal cyst, which was discovered in the course of diagnostic evaluation for thoracic back pain, fever, and diarrhea. He was treated successfully by surgical excision of the cyst. The embryology, classification, and symptoms of esophageal cysts are reviewed, along with useful diagnostic tests and procedures. Ordinary radiography, computed tomography, sonography, and magnetic resonance imaging contribute to diagnostic accuracy. Special mention is made of percutaneous fine needle aspiration biopsy (PNAB) as an adjunct diagnostic procedure. Surgical excision is the treatment of choice.