Lateral cervical bronchogenic cyst: an unusual cause of a lump in the neck.

BACKGROUND

Congenital cysts of the neck in children are not uncommon. Most of these are thyroglossal, branchial cleft, or less commonly, thymic cysts. Bronchial cysts rarely are initially seen as a neck mass.

METHODS

Use of an illustrative case of a bronchogenic cyst initially seen as an upper lateral neck mass.

CONCLUSIONS

We emphasize that although ectopic bronchogenic cysts are rare lesions of the head and neck, especially in the upper lateral neck, they should be included in the differential diagnosis in the evaluation of congenital neck cysts.