Differences in the distribution and presentation of bronchogenic cysts between adults and children

Background: Bronchogenic cysts are rare congenital malformations that occur in adults and children, with differences in distribution and presentation. Methods: The study population comprised 16 infants and children (aged 7 days to 18 years) and 23 adults (aged 20-78 years) who received pathological diagnoses of bronchogenic cysts over a 14-year period (1999-2012). Cyst distribution and presentation were reviewed. Results: Half (8/16) of the infants and children presented with palpable masses in the neck (n = 6) or on the skin (n = 2), and only one (12.5%) presented with symptoms of mild stridor. Another eight pediatric patients had mediastinal (n = 7) or pulmonary (n = 1) bronchogenic cysts, and respiratory symptoms were present in six (75%) patients. Thirteen of 23 (56.5%) adult patients had asymptomatic cysts (neck, n = 1; mediastinum, n = 11; lung, n = 1). Symptomatic presentations occurred in 10/23 (43.5%) patients, including 2 with palpable mass in the neck, 3 in the mediastinum, 4 in the lung, and 1 in the retroperitoneum. Among the 13 asymptomatic patients, 6 were identified during regular health screening, 5 during routine chest computed tomographic surveys for cancer, and 2 incidentally found during thyroid and parathyroid surgery. Bronchogenic cysts tended to be larger in symptomatic than in asymptomatic adults. Conclusion: The clinical spectra of bronchogenic cysts differ between adults and children and are closely related to cyst location and, probably, size. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.