Abstract

Cutaneous bronchogenic cysts (CBC) are rare hamartomas with a reported incidence of 1 in 42,000–68,000, that arise due to abnormal budding of the primitive tracheobronchial tree during embryologic development. Most bronchogenic cysts are detected in or around the mediastinum. Rarely, they can occur at unusual sites including skin, pericardium, diaphragm, and retroperitoneum.

We present a case of CBC in a 19-year-old male who presented with a slowly growing, painless mass on his back. There was no history of trauma or infection in the area. Physical examination revealed a well-circumscribed, soft, mobile mass measuring approximately 2 cm in diameter. Histopathology displayed a cyst lined by respiratory epithelium with ciliated luminal cells, columnar cells and goblet cells. Increased mucin, nodules of lymphocytes and fibrosis were present in the surrounding stroma. These features were all characteristic of a cutaneous bronchogenic cyst.

CBC has been reported infrequently in the literature. Anatomical sites include the sternum, neck, scapular region and peri-anal areas. They usually present soon after birth or in early childhood. 69 cases have hitherto been reported in the literature.

Due to their rarity and non-specific clinical features, they are unrecognized and often diagnosed on histopathological examination. Familiarity with these lesions is necessary to avoid misdiagnosis of these lesions as branchial cleft cyst, thyroglossal duct cyst, cutaneous ciliated cyst, and mature cystic teratoma.