A paraesophageal bronchogenic cyst with esophageal communication

Abstract

Paraesophageal bronchogenic cysts are a rare developmental anomaly of the upper digestive tract. Although often asymptomatic, their growth can cause severe symptoms and complications because of the location. The diagnosis is difficult and is mostly by histopathologic findings after extirpation of the cyst. The authors present a case of a paraesophageal bronchogenic cyst, of typical histologic structure (ciliated epithelium and hyaline cartilage) connected with the esophageal lumen by a narrow canal composed of stratified squamous epithelium. According to the available literature, only three cases of bronchogenic paraesophageal cysts with esophageal communication have been reported.