Definition and research guide
This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.
Content available: 4 complete abstracts (700 words), 10 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.
Definition
A usually spherical cyst, arising as an embryonic out-pouching of the foregut or trachea. It is generally found in the mediastinum or lung and is usually asymptomatic unless it becomes infected.
Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.
Also known as: Bronchogenic Cysts; Cyst, Bronchogenic; Cysts, Bronchogenic; Bronchial Cyst; Bronchial Cysts; Cyst, Bronchial; Cysts, Bronchial.
Where it fits in the MeSH classification
- Broader topics
- Cysts; Bronchial Diseases; Respiratory System Abnormalities
Research landscape
PubMed indexes 1,473 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Bronchogenic Cyst” (counts retrieved 2026-10-29). 183 of them (12.4%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is through 1999 with 539 records.
Reviews account for 188 records (12.8%) and meta-analyses for 0. Randomized controlled trials number 0 (0.0%) as a share of all records on the topic. Randomized trials make up only a small share of this literature, so much of what is known comes from laboratory, observational or descriptive work.
Show the data
| Period | Records |
|---|---|
| through 1999 | 539 |
| 2000-2009 | 398 |
| 2010-2019 | 353 |
| 2020 onward | 183 |
Publication-type chart data
| Type | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews | 188 | 12.8% |
| Meta-analyses | 0 | 0.0% |
| Randomized controlled trials | 0 | 0.0% |
Method: PubMed query "Bronchogenic Cyst"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-10-29.
Reading the evidence in rare and inherited diseases
Rare conditions are difficult to study: few patients means small studies, case reports and registries are common, and randomized trials are the exception. Small samples limit precision and can exaggerate effects, and cases reported in the literature may be the most severe or unusual. Evidence from many small studies is best read together. Check how patients were identified, how many were included and how long they were followed.
Evidence from open-access studies
These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.
| Study / authors | Year | Source label / design | Europe PMC citations | Licence / source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A Case Report of Esophageal Bronchogenic Cyst and Review of the Literature With an Emphasis on Endoscopic Ultrasonography Appearance | 2016 | Review article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 21 | cc by PMID 26986156 · DOI · PMC4839937 |
| Ectopic bronchogenic cyst in the retroperitoneal region: a case report and literature review of adult patients | 2021 | Review article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 16 | cc by PMID 34544401 · DOI · PMC8454181 |
| Ectopic bronchogenic cyst arising from the diaphragm: a rare case report and literature review | 2021 | Review article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 12 | cc by PMID 34376164 · DOI · PMC8353838 |
| Imaging features of bronchogenic cyst of the stomach: A case report with literature review | 2025 | Review article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 2 | cc by PMID 39889159 · DOI · PMC11789860 |
A Case Report of Esophageal Bronchogenic Cyst and Review of the Literature With an Emphasis on Endoscopic Ultrasonography Appearance [1]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Esophageal bronchogenic cysts are extremely rare.
- Closing excerpt
- The appearance of esophageal bronchogenic cyst can be great variation; EUS seems to be a valuable option for diagnosis and surveillance.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (208 words)
Esophageal bronchogenic cysts are extremely rare. Here we report a more rare type of both presence of intra- and paraesophageal bronchogenic cyst that was safely removed via surgical resection. A 31-year-old male patient with space-occupying lesions in the mediastinum suddenly presented with persistent chest pain for 2 days and then transferred to dysphagia >1 week. Preoperative diagnosis is difficult. Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) showed a hypoechoic cystic-solid mass arising from the muscularis propria and local hyperechoic area in the deeper portion of cyst, concomitant with a heterogeneous center and tube-like structure lesion in mediastinum. Turbid coffee color paste contents were aspirated inside the tumor under endoscopic ultrasonography guided-fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA). A subsequent surgery was performed and histologic finding was diagnostic of esophageal bronchogenic cyst. Immunohistochemical staining confirmed the cyst was positive for carbohydrate antigen 199 (CA199) and carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125). At a follow-up visit 3 months later, the patient had a regular diet and no complaint. This study is to summarize the clinical manifestations and EUS features of esophageal bronchogenic cyst by retrospectively reviewing the literature and simultaneously to provide guide for the correct examination scheme. The appearance of esophageal bronchogenic cyst can be great variation; EUS seems to be a valuable option for diagnosis and surveillance.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 26986156 · DOI · PMC4839937
Ectopic bronchogenic cyst in the retroperitoneal region: a case report and literature review of adult patients [2]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- BackgroundBronchogenic cyst is congenital aberration of bronchopulmonary malformation, which is rarely encountered in the abdomen and retroperitoneum.
- Closing excerpt
- It should be considered as one of the differential diagnoses of a retroperitoneal neoplasm.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (173 words)
BackgroundBronchogenic cyst is congenital aberration of bronchopulmonary malformation, which is rarely encountered in the abdomen and retroperitoneum. We present a case report and literature review of retroperitoneal bronchogenic cyst.Case presentationA 53-year-old female presented to outpatient clinic for a routine checkup of lumbar intervertebral disc herniation. She received a contrast computed tomography scan of the abdomen which revealed a retroperitoneal cystic lesion below the left crura of diaphragm. Afterward, the patient underwent a laparoscopic excision of the cystic lesion and was discharged uneventfully at postoperative day 4. Histopathological findings confirmed the diagnosis of retroperitoneal bronchogenic cyst. Our literature review identified 55 adult cases in recent two decades. The average age at diagnosis was 43.2 (range 17-69) years. 44 (80%) cases had a retroperitoneal cyst on the left side, and 52 (94.5%) cases underwent curative excision through open or laparoscopic surgery. In the available follow up of cases, there was no recurrence after surgery.ConclusionsBronchogenic cyst is rare in the retroperitoneal region. It should be considered as one of the differential diagnoses of a retroperitoneal neoplasm.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 34544401 · DOI · PMC8454181
Ectopic bronchogenic cyst arising from the diaphragm: a rare case report and literature review [3]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- BackgroundBronchogenic cysts can be caused by errors in the growth of the ventral foregut.
- Closing excerpt
- ConclusionsThe prognosis of ectopic BC is usually optimistic for benign tumors, as long as the tumor is completely removed.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (120 words)
BackgroundBronchogenic cysts can be caused by errors in the growth of the ventral foregut. Localization of the bronchogenic cyst (BC) varies depending on the level of the abnormal budding. They are usually located in the lungs and mediastinum. BCs of the diaphragm are a rare form of this abnormality.Case presentationA 66-year-old woman coughs and expectorates. CT scan evaluation revealed a soft tissue shadow of 6 × 5 cm in the left lung. Under thoracoscopic surgery, we found that the mass originated from the diaphragm away from the lung tissue, we completely removed the mass and the pathological result was diagnosed as BC.ConclusionsThe prognosis of ectopic BC is usually optimistic for benign tumors, as long as the tumor is completely removed.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 34376164 · DOI · PMC8353838
Imaging features of bronchogenic cyst of the stomach: A case report with literature review [4]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- RationaleBronchogenic cyst (BC) is a congenital disease characterized by an anomaly of the foregut in the embryonic stage.
- Closing excerpt
- These imaging features are helpful for differentiating diagnoses from other diseases.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (199 words)
RationaleBronchogenic cyst (BC) is a congenital disease characterized by an anomaly of the foregut in the embryonic stage. Gastric BC is exceedingly rare and has never been accurately diagnosed prior to surgery; it is often misidentified as gastric stromal tumor, with the definitive diagnosis confirmed through postoperative specimens. Although gastric BC is considered a benign lesion, its prognosis remains uncertain, underscoring the importance of accurate preoperative identification.Patient concernsThe present study reported the case of a 64-year-old female who presented with 2 incidentally detected lesions of the gastric corpus and antrum. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed cystic lesions with delayed enhancement of the cyst wall and no enhancement of the cyst contents.Interventions and diagnosesThe patient underwent a laparoscopic partial gastrectomy. BC was diagnosed by histopathology and immunohistochemistry after surgery.OutcomesThe patient had an uneventful hospital course and was discharged on the eleventh postoperative day. No recurrence or metastasis was observed after 33 months.LessonsBC of the stomach is mostly ovate in shape with well-defined margins. The cyst wall shows prolonged enhancement and calcification may occur at the edges. The density and signal of the cyst content varied with composition. These imaging features are helpful for differentiating diagnoses from other diseases.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 39889159 · DOI · PMC11789860
Key reviews and meta-analyses
The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.
- Research article A retroperitoneal bronchogenic cyst with malignant change [5]
- Research article Asymptomatic bronchogenic cysts: what is the best management? [6]
- Research article Congenital lung malformations [7]
- Research article Should asymptomatic bronchogenic cysts in adults be treated conservatively or with surgery? [8]
- Research article Congenital lung lesions [9]
- Research article Congenital masses of the lung: prenatal and postnatal imaging evaluation [10]
References
- Han C, Lin R, Yu J, Zhang Q, Zhang Y, Liu J, et al.. A Case Report of Esophageal Bronchogenic Cyst and Review of the Literature With an Emphasis on Endoscopic Ultrasonography Appearance. . 2016. PMID 26986156 · DOI · PMC4839937
- Yuan K, Shu M, Ma Y, Feng W, Ye J, Yuan Y. Ectopic bronchogenic cyst in the retroperitoneal region: a case report and literature review of adult patients. . 2021. PMID 34544401 · DOI · PMC8454181
- Tang J, Zeng Z, Deng S, Lin F. Ectopic bronchogenic cyst arising from the diaphragm: a rare case report and literature review. . 2021. PMID 34376164 · DOI · PMC8353838
- Dong D, Chen A, Liu A. Imaging features of bronchogenic cyst of the stomach: A case report with literature review. . 2025. PMID 39889159 · DOI · PMC11789860
- Sullivan SM, Okada S, Kudo M, Ebihara Y. A retroperitoneal bronchogenic cyst with malignant change. Pathol Int. 1999. PMID 10365854 · DOI
- Bolton JW, Shahian DM. Asymptomatic bronchogenic cysts: what is the best management?. Ann Thorac Surg. 1992. PMID 1596146 · DOI
- Pederiva F, Rothenberg SS, Hall N, Ijsselstijn H, Wong KKY, von der Thüsen J, et al.. Congenital lung malformations. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2023. PMID 37919294 · DOI
- Kirmani B, Kirmani B, Sogliani F. Should asymptomatic bronchogenic cysts in adults be treated conservatively or with surgery?. Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg. 2010. PMID 20709698 · DOI
- Zobel M, Gologorsky R, Lee H, Vu L. Congenital lung lesions. Semin Pediatr Surg. 2019. PMID 31451177 · DOI
- Winters WD, Effmann EL. Congenital masses of the lung: prenatal and postnatal imaging evaluation. J Thorac Imaging. 2001. PMID 11685086 · DOI
About this article
- Sources
- NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
- Verification
- Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-10-31; title, year and DOI matched.
- Review state
- automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
- Version
- 1, last updated 2026-10-29.
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Evidence strength
EvidenceHelix's computed view of the study designs behind this topic: how common meta-analyses, randomized trials and reviews are, how recent the literature is, and a plain-language reading. It describes the design mix of the literature. It is not a quality appraisal of any study, and it is not medical advice.