A case of cutaneous bronchogenic cyst presenting with lymphoid follicles

Abstract

Cutaneous bronchogenic cysts are rare, and stem from developmental abnormalities of the tracheobronchial tree. The condition is often misdiagnosed clinically, with the correct diagnosis usually established by histopathologic examination. Published reports of bronchogenic or branchial anomalies are increasing, and the traditional defining characteristics of location and histopathology are proving to be less reliable for the identification of cutaneous bronchogenic cysts. In this report, we describe a case of a cutaneous bronchogenic cyst that presented with unusual histologic features, and was associated with several lymphoid follicles.

Keywords: Bronchogenic cyst; Lymphoid follicles.

Fig. 1

A slightly erythematous nodule, with central pin-point sized opening on the suprasternal notch.

Fig. 2

Ultrasound examination showed well demarcated, about 1.0×1.0 cm sized hypoechoic cystic mass.

Fig. 3

(A) The excised specimen showed a cystic structure lined with ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium in the deep dermis and subcutis (H&E, ×100). (B) In the connective tissue surrounding the cystic cavity, several well-circumscribed basophilic lymphoid follicles were aggregated (H&E, ×200). (C) Goblet cells were scattered among the ciliated epithelial cells (H&E, ×400). (D) PAS-positive goblet cells were scattered among the ciliated epithelial cells (PAS, ×400).

Fig. 4

Percentage table and schematic viewof the 6 cases of cutaneous bronchogenic cyst and 8 cases of cutaneous branchial cleft cyst reported in the Korean literature.