Midline cervical bronchogenic cyst: A case report and literature review

Bronchogenic cysts (BCs) are congenital anomalies typically located in the mediastinum or lung, with ectopic presentations in the neck being exceptionally rare. The potential for compressive symptoms and malignant transformation underscores the need for precise surgical resection.

A 53-year-old female presented with a self-palpable cervical mass and notable dysphagia. Medical imaging revealed a well-defined cystic lesion in the anterior cervical region.

The histopathological analysis post-resection confirmed a bronchogenic cyst lined by ciliated columnar epithelium consistent with ectopic foregut development.

Intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) was used to assist the complete resection of the cyst through the transcervical approach.

The cyst was completely excised with preservation of vocal cord function intact. Postoperative follow-up over 12 months revealed no symptomatic recurrence, and imaging studies demonstrated no evidence of residual or recurrent lesions.

This clinical case highlights the criticality of considering BCs in cervical midline masses and demonstrates the efficacy of Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in differentiating ectopic BCs from adjacent tissues. Complete surgical resection combined with IONM optimized surgical safety, particularly in anatomically challenging regions near the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN).