Endobronchial Ultrasound-guided Needle Aspiration of a Bronchogenic Cyst to Liberate From Mechanical Ventilation

Abstract

An 86-year-old man developed stridor and acute respiratory failure after being treated for a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation and a urinary tract infection that required mechanical ventilation. A contrast computed tomography of the chest revealed a 4.2×5.7×7 cm homogeneous mass in the thoracic inlet, consistent with a bronchogenic cyst producing mass effect over the trachea. Patient was deemed a poor surgical candidate given significant comorbidities. We performed endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration successfully to drain the bronchogenic cyst, allowing successful extubation within hours after the procedure.

Role of endobronchial ultrasound in the diagnosis and management of bronchogenic cysts: two case descriptions and literature review

“…The treatment of choice remains the complete surgical resection of the secreting mucosal lining, particularly in complicated cysts (11,12). However, some authors have reported cases of successful treatment of bronchogenic cysts with EBUS-guided aspiration (4)(5)(6)(7)(8). In one case, a patient was followed up for eighteen months without evidence of recurrence (8).…”