Mediastinal bronchogenic cyst: prenatal sonographic diagnosis

Abstract

Bronchogenic cyst of the mediastinum in infancy is a welldefined entity characterized by recurrent cough, wheezing, pneumonia, atelectasis, and obstructive emphysema and causing various degrees of respiratory distress [1 ]. These cysts generally are located near the carina between the trachea and the esophagus and often obstruct the main bronchi, causing respiratory distress[1]. The recognition of thoracic malformations in utero is important because many of these anomalies present with severe respiratory distress in the immediate neonatal period [2]. Early recognition and identification of a pulmonary abnormality can expedite obstetric management and direct effective postparturn treatment. Several conditions, among them congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation, diaphragmatic hernia, bronchopulmonary sequestration, hydrothorax, and intrapulmonary bronchogenic cysts have been reported to have distinct prenatal sonographic characteristics [2, 3]. We report a case in which the prenatal diagnosis of a bronchogenic cyst was made by sonography.