A Bronchogenic Cyst Masquerading as a Tongue Mass

Bronchogenic cysts are foregut-derived developmental anomalies found along the developmental pathway of the foregut. The putative theory of pathogenesis is abnormal budding or branching of epithelial cells during the development of tracheobronchial tree. Over 99 % of cases occur in the mediastinum and lung while the head and neck area is affected in less than 1 % of cases with only rare cases reported in the oral cavity. This is a report of a case of a bronchogenic cyst arising in a 6-year-old male. The lesion presented as a painless swelling of the left underside of the tongue. Microscopically, the cyst was lined by pseudostratified columnar epithelium exhibiting many ciliated and mucous cells. A focus of cartilage and discontinuous bundles of smooth muscle were present adjacent to the lining. Where there was cyst rupture, there was granulation tissue associated with many foamy macrophages and acute and chronic inflammation. Four other cases, three in the tongue and one in the lower lip vestibule with cutaneous extension, all in the midline, have been reported in a 1 day-old male, 4 year-old male, 6 year-old female and 3 year-old male. There was no recurrence after excision and this is in keeping with the behavior in previous reports. Other developmental cysts including foregut cysts may be focally lined with respiratory epithelium but the presence of cartilage is the sine qua non for the diagnosis of a bronchogenic cyst.