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A Bronchogenic Cyst Masquerading as a Tongue Mass
Zahra Aldawood1, David J Moyer2, Sook-Bin Woo3,4
1Department of Oral Medicine, Infection, and Immunity, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, 188 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA. Zahra_Aldawood@hsdm.harvard.edu.
Head and Neck Pathology
|February 27, 2021
Summary
Bronchogenic cysts, rare growths from abnormal budding, can occur in the head and neck. This case report details a tongue bronchogenic cyst in a child, highlighting diagnostic features and successful treatment.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Pathology
- Surgical case report
Background:
- Bronchogenic cysts originate from the foregut during embryonic development.
- Most cases occur in the mediastinum and lungs, with head and neck involvement being rare (<1%).
- Abnormal budding of the tracheobronchial tree is the proposed cause.
Observation:
- A 6-year-old male presented with a painless swelling on the underside of his tongue.
- Microscopic examination revealed a cyst lined by pseudostratified columnar epithelium with ciliated and mucous cells.
- Adjacent structures included cartilage and smooth muscle; ruptured areas showed inflammation and foamy macrophages.
Findings:
- The cyst's microscopic features, particularly the presence of cartilage, confirmed it as a bronchogenic cyst.
- Four similar pediatric cases in the oral cavity were reviewed, all midline.
- Complete excision resulted in no recurrence, consistent with previous reports.
Implications:
- This case expands the understanding of rare oral cavity bronchogenic cyst presentations in children.
- Definitive diagnosis relies on identifying characteristic histological features, especially cartilage.
- Surgical management appears effective with a low risk of recurrence for these lesions.
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