A case of a bronchogenic cyst in a rare location

Bronchogenic cysts occur as a result of a developmental fault during the division and budding of the tracheobronchial tree in the embryonic period. They are usually located in the mediastinum and intrapulmonary regions. They may cause serious respiratory distress in childhood; they present less commonly in adults and often present with a variety of symptoms, including recurrent infections. We report the case of an adult female patient who presented with recurrent pulmonary infections and swelling of the neck because of a bronchogenic cyst that was unusually located in the cervical region. (C) 2004 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.