Bronchogenic cyst of the ileal mesentery: a case report and a review of literature

INTRODUCTION: Bronchogenic cyst is a rare clinical entity that occurs due to abnormal development of the foregut; the majority of bronchogenic cysts have been described in the mediastinum and they are rarely found in an extrathoracic location. CASE PRESENTATION: We describe the case of an intra-abdominal bronchogenic cyst of the mesentery, incidentally discovered during an emergency laparotomy for a perforated gastric ulcer in a 33-year-old Caucasian man. CONCLUSIONS: Bronchogenic cyst should be considered in the differential diagnosis of subdiaphragmatic masses, even in an intraperitoneal location.