Bronchogenic cysts as a cause of infantile stridor: case report and literature review

Abstract

Cystic lesions related to the upper airway are an unusual cause of infantile stridor. Such a lesion may exert a mass effect, with subsequent airway compromise. A six-month-old boy was transferred to our unit with a right-sided, level IV neck lump and a three-month history of chronic cough and, latterly, inspiratory stridor. Computed tomography revealed a large, unilocular, cystic, cervicothoracic lesion causing marked compression of the trachea. Airway endoscopy subsequently revealed the larynx to be displaced to the left, with severe external compression of the trachea from just below the subglottic level to immediately above the carina. The mediastinal lesion was excised via an external approach. The histological diagnosis was a bronchogenic cyst. Bronchogenic cysts are a rare cause of infantile stridor, and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cystic cervical and mediastinal masses. Surgical excision is the treatment of choice.