A 4-Month-Old Girl with Persistent Respiratory Distress and Multiple Admissions to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Due to a Congenital Bronchogenic Cyst

Objective: Congenital defects/diseases Background: Bronchogenic cysts are foregut duplication cysts that result in congenital cysts of the tracheobronchial tree. They can be fatal especially, if they present in early infancy. Persistent respiratory distress is the most frequent reported presentation. Histologically, bronchogenic cysts are unilocular fluid-filled lesions that are composed of respiratory epithelium. This report presents the case of a 4-month-old girl with persistent respiratory distress and multiple admissions to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) due to a congenital bronchogenic cyst. Case Report: We describe a 4-month-old girl with persistent respiratory distress, intermittent chocking, and recurrent PICU admissions. The patient was managed as a case of bronchiolitis, which led to ineffective treatment numerous times. Radiological work-up revealed unusual findings of asymmetrical hyperinflation. Bronchoscopy, which was performed to clear the airway and retrieve a possible foreign body, showed a non-pulsatile mass compressing the entry of the main bronchi with more pressure on the left main bronchus, raising the possibility of an external compression. A bronchogenic cyst was suspected and confirmed with high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT). Surgical intervention was performed, with no reported complications. Conclusions: This report has shown that in neonates presenting with respiratory distress and no signs of infection, a broad differential diagnosis including congenital cysts should be considered. As in this case, lung and thoracic imaging are required to confirm the diagnosis. We also highlight the need to involve subspecialities to avoid potential delay in diagnosis or exposing patients to unexpected complications.

Automated summary

This case report describes a 4-month-old girl with persistent respiratory distress and multiple admissions to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) due to a congenital bronchogenic cyst. The diagnosis was confirmed through radiological work-up and bronchoscopy, and surgical intervention was performed without complications. This highlights the importance of considering congenital cysts in neonates presenting with respiratory distress and involving subspecialities to ensure timely diagnosis and avoid complications.