A right paratracheal air cyst caused by tracheal diverticula

Abstract

A 65-year-old woman presented with pain in her throat and neck. Thin-section computed tomography (CT) revealed an air-filled lesion at the right paratracheal region and two narrow connections to the trachea. Flexible bronchoscopy showed four diverticula 4-5 cm below the vocal cords in the right lateral part of the trachea. Consistent with the CT findings, two of the diverticula were deep. A radiological barium swallow study and an esopagogastroduodenal endoscopic examination revealed no abnormalities. We therefore believe that her right paratracheal air cyst is an extension of a tracheal diverticulum. Right-sided paratracheal air cysts at the level of the thoracic inlet are a common finding on CT and should not be confused with pneumomediastinum in order to avoid unnecessary examinations or treatments.