Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Bronchogenic cysts are rare benign congenital anomalies related to the abnormal budding of the tracheobronchial tree during embryological development. They are usually located in the mediastinum and intrapulmonary regions. Localization in the cervical area is unusual, and specially, bronchogenic cysts presenting as thyroid cyst are quite rare.

Case report: A 43-year-old woman presented with a seven months’ thyroid mass. The patient had no history of radiation exposure, no symptoms of hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism nor any difficulty breathing. On examination, the patient had a 3 cm mass of the right thyroid gland that approached the midline of the neck. There were no other palpable nodes. Ultrasonography confirmed the existence of a cystic well defined mass on the right thyroid lobe measuring 3 cm. A fine-needle biopsy of the mass was performed and yielded yellow fluid. The patient underwent surgical exploration of the neck, which revealed a right thyroid mass extending to the isthmus. it seemed to be cystic and fluctuant with fibrous adhesions to the surrounding tissue. A right thyroid lobectomy was performed. The histologic appearance was characteristic of a bronchogenic cyst. The post-operative recovery was uneventful.

Conclusion: Although rare, cervical bronchogenic cysts are difficult to differentiate clinically from other cystic thyroid masses because of their location, radiologic characteristics, and evolution. The curative treatment consists of complete surgical resection.