Subdiaphragmatic bronchogenic cyst with communication to the stomach: a case report

A case of an infradiaphragmatic bronchogenic cyst in an adult patient presenting with nausea, vomiting, and epigastric discomfort is reported. An upper gastrointestinal series showed a multiloculated cyst communicating with the stomach via a patent fistulous tract. At laparotomy the cyst was found to be connected to and communicating with the posterolateral portion of the stomach. The cyst was completely below the diaphragm and received its blood supply from a branch of the abdominal aorta. Histologically, the cyst was composed of smooth muscle, respiratory epithelium, cartilage, and submucous glands. A review of the literature reveals that this case of bronchogenic cyst was unique in that it was located entirely beneath the diaphragm, was not associated with a diaphragmatic hernia or other congenital anomaly, and maintained a patent communication with a portion of the gastrointestinal tract, ie, the stomach, reminiscent of its embryological development.