Bronchogenic cysts: a persistent dilemma

Bronchogenic cysts are congenital lesions of the respiratory tract. Although usually benign, they have the potential to develop complications and can pose a dilemma in diagnosis and treatment. Twenty patients who presented to the Cardiothoracic Surgical Unit at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital over a 10 year period are reported. Symptoms were common (75%) but serious complications were rare (5%). Most cysts were excised completely at thoracotomy with minimal morbidity. The correct diagnosis was established pre-operatively in less than half of the patients. Therefore excision is recommended to confirm the diagnosis, to exclude malignancy and to minimize possible complications.