Bronchogenic cysts are congenital malformations of the bronchial tree derived from the early embryonic foregut. Most frequently, they occur in the pulmonary parenchyma or in the posterior mediastinum. However, they can be developed in ectopic sites, especially in the retroperitoneal region.
1 Treatment of all bronchial cysts is based on complete surgical resection and the diagnosis is confirmed by the pathological results of the tissues obtained after resection. If the lesion is completely removed, the prognosis is usually good.
CASE REPORT
A 55-year-old woman was admitted with a left adrenal tumor on computed tomography (CT) during a study for dyspnea, cough, and sweats. The patient had been taking antihypertensive and cholesterol lowering medications for 7 years, and the blood pressure was well controlled. She also had 2 c-section surgeries. We investigated with adrenal function studies (plasma metanephrine, 24-hour urinary fractionated metanephrines, overnight 1-mg dexamethasone 1-mg suppression test, the ratio of plasma aldosterone concentration to plasma renin activity) and concluded nonfunctional tumor. The results of adrenal function studies were nonspecific. Magnetic resonance image (MRI) showed about an 8-cm-sized large unilocular cystic lesion with mild and high signal intensities at left suprarenal fossa on T1-(T1WI) and T2-weighted images (T2WI) (
Fig. 1). I-123 MIBG scan showed no scintigraphic evidence of neuro-endocrine tumor in the left adrenal gland.
Fig. 1.
About 8-cm-sized large unilocular cystic lesion with mild hyperintense signal on T1 image (A) and hyperintense signal on T2 image (B) at left suprarenal fossa on magnetic resonance imaging.
We performed laparoscopic adrenalectomy with trans-peritoneal approach. There was a large amount of abdominal fat. About 8-cm-sized round, cystic adrenal mass was observed (
Fig. 2). Aspiration was done and a thick milkish fluid of 200 mL was drained. The mass was completely excised saving normal adrenal tissues. There was no increase in blood pressure during surgery. The operative time was 75 minutes and there was no definitive bleeding and complication. The pathologic tissue weighed 35 g and measured 88 mmx45 mmx28 mm, and cystic changes were observed on the cut surface. Microscopically, the cystic wall was lined with pseudostratified columnar ciliated epithelium of respiratory type (
Fig. 3). Cyst aspiration fluid showed a few foamy histiocytes and inflammatory cells. The pathologic examination confirmed an adrenal bronchogenic cyst. There was no recurrence of tumor in abdominal CT at 3 months postoperatively and no abnormal findings in chest CT.
Fig. 2.
(A) Dissected cystic mass abutting from normal adrenal tissue (arrow). (B) Huge cystic mass on the kidney. (C) Dark milky fluid (arrow) aspiration from the mass.
Fig. 3.
Microscopic findings of the adrenal bronchogenic cyst. (A) Cystic lesion adjacent to the adrenal gland lined by respiratory-type epithelium, underlying lamina pro-pria containing smooth muscle bundles (H&E, ×100). (B) The lined epithelium composed of ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium (H&E, ×200).
This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Wonkwang University School of Medicine & Hospital (WUHIRB No. 2019-07-011).
DISCUSSION
Bronchogenic cysts are congenital foregut malformations that arise from an abnormal budding of the tracheobronchial tree during the 3rd to 7th week of development.
2 They are typically found in the thoracic cavity or embedded in the pulmonary parenchyma.
3 Bronchogenic cysts in the retro-peritoneal region were first reported by Miller et al. in 1953 (quoted from
1) and are extremely rare. Firstly Sumiyoshi et al. (quoted from
5) hypothesized that a retroperitoneal bronchial cyst can be resulted from pinching off and trapping of the abnormal buds of the tracheobronchial tree after migration in to the abdomen before fusion of the diaphragm components.
Retroperitoneal bronchogenic cysts can occur in a wide age range and are found equally in males and females. Among all cases of retroperitoneal bronchogenic cysts reported in the literature, 82% of cases occur in the left side of the retroperitoneal region.
2 Current guideline suggests that investigations for adrenal incidentaloma should include hormonal workup and radiologic imaging. Hormonal work-up includes plasma aldosterone concentration, plasma renin activity, plasma-free metanephrines and normetanephrines, and overnight dexamethasone suppression test. Generally, bronchogenic cysts appear as a well circumscribed cystic lesion accompanied with or without calcification and no significant contrast uptake on CT scan. On MRIs, those cysts were found to have low signal on T1WI but high signal on T2WI.
8
The differential diagnosis of a retroperitoneal cystic mass includes lymphangioma, mucinous cystadenoma, cystic ter-atoma, cystic mesothelioma, cystic metastasis, cysts of ur-ogenital and foregut origin, such as Mullerian cysts or bron-chogenic cysts, pancreatic pseudocysts, lymphoceles, ur-inoma, and hematoma.
2 Histopathologically confirmed bron-chogenic cysts are usually unilocular and have thin walls lined by ciliated respiratory epithelium with bronchial glands, nerves, and cartilage.
2
The resection must be complete because of the risk of recurrence after incomplete surgical removal.
9 The treatment of asymptomatic bronchogenic cysts remains controversial. Most authors seem to advocate a surgical approach to prevent complications. The natural course of the cyst in retro-peritoneal region is unknown, but the postoperative prognosis is mostly good.
5
Currently preferred treatment is the removal of lesions, most often with minimally invasive surgery. Firstly, Tokuda et al. (quoted from
10) successfully treated a retroperitoneal bronchogenic cyst with laparoscopy. In particular, large tumors larger than 6 cm have been removed with laparoscopic surgery. The choice of laparoscopy and retroperitoneoscopy is based on the operator's preferences, both with good results.
Adrenal bronchogenic cysts are very rare. They should be considered as differential diagnosis of nonfunctioning adrenal masses. Bronchogenic cysts can be diagnosed only by histologic confirmation. We report an adrenal bronchogenic cyst, which is easily and safely treated by laparoscopy.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The authors claim no conflicts of interest.
REFERENCES
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