Intrathymic growing bronchogenic cyst mimicking thymoma: A case report

Abstract

Intrathymic bronchogenic cysts are extremely rare lesions, and the differential diagnosis with a banal thymic cyst or a solid tumor can be problematic. Thymic carcinomas arising within thymic cysts have also been reported. We report a case of radical thymectomy for a slowly growing small thymic cyst. The pathological finding revealed a bronchogenic cyst rather than a thymic neoplasm.

Spindle‐cell thymoma colliding with a bronchogenic cyst in a Yorkshire terrier

“…17 A human case report diagnosed an intrathymic bronchogenic cyst based on bistratified ciliated columnar coating epithelium. 18 Other studies have included walls of smooth muscle and proteinaceous cystic fluid. 15 Bronchial mucous glands and cartilage have also been mentioned as bronchogenic cyst characteristics 14 but were not found in the current case.…”

“…Cysts containing cilia were classified as bronchogenic, while cysts containing squamous or cuboidal epithelium without cilia were classified as thymic 17 . A human case report diagnosed an intrathymic bronchogenic cyst based on bistratified ciliated columnar coating epithelium 18 . Other studies have included walls of smooth muscle and proteinaceous cystic fluid 15 .…”