[Imaging of bronchogenic cysts in children]

The authors report a retrospective series of 22 cases of bronchogenic cysts in children. The development of antenatal ultrasonography allowed the diagnosis in 3 cases. When the diagnosis is suggested for the time first postnatally, chest x-ray and oesophagography remain the essential initial investigations. Thoracic ultrasonography needs to be developed, as in some cases it can reveal the cystic nature of the tumour. In difficult cases, the work-up should be completed by CT scan, while keeping in mind that not all bronchogenic cysts present in the form of low-density images. A detailed review of the literature shows that mediastino-pulmonary opacities are more frequent than exclusively pulmonary images in the form of hyperlucent, fluid level or solid opacity images.