A cyst in the mist: bronchogenic mediastinal cysts

Malformations of the bronchopulmonary foregut can lead to the formation of bronchogenic mediastinal cysts (BMC). BMC are rare congenital malformations usually found in the middle or posterior mediastinum. Only one-third of patients with BMC are symptomatic. We report a case of BMC in a 48-year-old female who was referred to the cardiothoracic surgeons due to an incidental finding of an anterior mediastinal mass on investigation for intermittent chest pain. The mass was treated surgically with a partial median sternotomy and mass excision. The patient’s symptomology and mass histology were atypical for BMC. At follow-up, the patient reported no residual symptoms. This case demonstrates the significance of considering BMC, especially the anterior subtype, as a differential diagnosis in the findings of patients with intermittent chest pain and computerized tomography findings of a mediastinal mass.