Congenital intrapulmonary bronchogenic cyst in the neonate--perinatal management.

Approximately 50% of all congenital lung malformations are pulmonary and mediastinal bronchogenic cysts (BC). Therefore, their diagnosis and management is of clinical importance. Usually asymptomatic in the first months of life, bronchogenic cysts are frequently clinically inapparent even adulthood. Early diagnosis and elective surgery can prevent late complications such as pneumothorax, pulmonary hypertension, and recurrent infections; prognosis after surgery is excellent. If mediastinal shifting is present, fetal thoracocentesis is indicated to prevent cardiovascular insufficiency. We report a case of a prenatally diagnosed intrapulmonary BC of the right lung. Following in utero thoracocentesis of the cyst and transient spontaneous regression postnatal onset of severe clinical symptoms due to rapidly developing hyperinflation and mediastinal shifting within the first days of life required early surgical intervention.