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Bronchogenic cyst presenting as mediastinal mass with pleural effusion
A Khalil1, M F Carette, B Milleron
1Dept of Radiology, Tenon hospital, Paris, France.
The European Respiratory Journal
|December 1, 1995
Summary
Mediastinal bronchogenic cysts rarely present with pleural effusion. This unusual association, not explained by infection, complicated diagnosis and surgery in two reported cases.
Area of Science:
- Thoracic Surgery
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Mediastinal bronchogenic cysts are typically well-defined masses on CT scans, sometimes with calcifications.
- Pleural effusion is not a commonly described feature of bronchogenic cysts.
Observation:
- Two cases of bronchogenic cysts presented with unexplained pleural effusion.
- Imaging included CT scan (n=2) and MRI (n=1).
Findings:
- Pleural effusion initially suggested lung tumor in one case.
- MRI raised suspicion for bronchogenic cyst in the second case.
- Pericystic inflammation was suspected due to cyst edge enhancement on CT and surgical difficulty from adhesions.
Implications:
- Pleural effusion in the context of a mediastinal mass should prompt consideration of bronchogenic cyst.
- Pericystic inflammation may complicate surgical management of these cysts.
- This presentation highlights the importance of comprehensive imaging and differential diagnosis.