Thoracoscopic Excision of a Paraesophageal Bronchogenic Cyst in a Child

BACKGROUND: Bronchogenic cysts are not uncommon in either children or adults. In children, they comprise approximately 6% of all mediastinal masses. Their presentation can range from an asymptomatic incidental finding to sudden respiratory distress. CASE REPORT: Video-assisted thoracoscopy was utilized to remove a bronchogenic cyst that was densely adherent to the adjacent esophagus in a child. This was accomplished with a Harmonic scalpel. The chest tube was removed on postoperative day 1, and the patient was discharged on postoperative day 2. An esophagogram obtained 2 weeks after surgery was normal, and the patient's preoperative symptoms had not returned. CONCLUSIONS: Bronchogenic cysts should be considered in the differential diagnoses for mediastinal masses at any age. Given their benign nature, thoracoscopy offers an excellent alternative to open thoracotomy for their removal.