[Bronchogenic cyst: an uncommon cause of Congenital Lobar Emphysema]

ABSTRACT

We report a case of a one-month-old boy who developed respiratory distress. Chest-X- ray and CT scans showed over distension of the left upper lobe and mediastinal shift in favour of congenital lobar emphysema [CLE]. One month after uneventful lobectomy, he was admitted at hospital for another episode of respiratory distress. Chest radiograph revealed relapse of compressive emphysema in the remaining left lobe. Gastro esophageal transit and MRI were performed, showing mediastinal cystic mass. Thus, patient underwent thoracotomy. Surgical examination found a subcarinal bronchogenic cyst that compressed main left bronchus, causing the emphysema of upper and lower left lobes. Histological examination of removed cyst confirmed these data. Authors discuss causes of diagnosis delay