Case ReportLarge bronchogenic cyst of stomach: A case report

- Bronchogenic cysts of the stomach are rare congenital benign cysts arising as an abnormal budding from primitive tracheobronchial tree.
- They are lined by pseudostratified columnar ciliated epithelium and contain smooth muscle fibers, mucous glands and/or cartilage in the cyst wall.
- They are most frequently located close to the gastroesophageal junction or gastric cardia and misdiagnosed as gastrointestinal stromal tumor on preoperative imaging.
- Surgical excision is the most preferred treatment as it helps in relieving the symptoms as well as confirms the diagnosis.

IntroductionBronchogenic cysts are congenital cysts arising as an abnormal budding from primitive tracheobronchial tree. They are lined by pseudostratified columnar or cuboidal ciliated epithelium and contain smooth muscle fibers, submucosal bronchial glands and/or cartilage. They are most frequently located in the mediastinum or the lung parenchyma. Intramural occurrence of bronchogenic cyst in the gastric wall is very rare.Presentation of caseWe present a case of 65-year-old lady with a 7 × 8 cm lesion in the gastric cardia suspicious of gastrointestinal stromal tumor. Because of the large size, total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y esophagojejunal anastomosis was performed. The postoperative course was uneventful. Histopathological examination revealed a sub-mucosal cyst lined by PCCE with presence of smooth muscle fibers and focal mucous glands. Final diagnosis of bronchogenic cyst was made. On the last follow up at one year, she was symptom free.DiscussionOn extensive Medline/Pubmed search, only 38 cases of gastric bronchogenic cysts were found to be reported till date. They are typically located in the posterior gastric wall close to the gastric cardia. On radiological imaging, they appear as well defined intramural cystic lesion without any characteristic features. Surgical resection is considered in symptomatic cases or in case of diagnostic dilemma.ConclusionGastric bronchogenic cysts often mimic gastrointestinal stromal tumor on preoperative imaging. They should be included in the differential diagnosis while dealing with an intramural gastric lesion close to the cardia or gastroesophageal junction.