Retroperitoneal Ectopic Bronchogenic Cyst Mimicking an Adrenal Mass: A Case Report and Literature Review.
Jie Luo, Ruixiang Qin
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
Case in brief
A middle-aged man presented with recurrent right flank pain. Abdominal CT revealed multiple right renal calculi and a well-defined lesion in the right adrenal region, which had a high unenhanced density, suggesting a solid adrenal tumor. After multidisciplinary evaluation, he underwent laparoscopic resection, revealing a benign bronchogenic cyst on the psoas major muscle. The patient recovered fully post-surgery.
What made this case unusual
The bronchogenic cyst was located in the retroperitoneum, an atypical site that often leads to misdiagnosis as an adrenal mass.
Diagnostic / clinical pearl
Clinicians should consider ectopic retroperitoneal bronchogenic cysts in the differential diagnosis of periadrenal lesions, particularly when imaging shows atypical high attenuation.
Why it matters
This case highlights the importance of recognizing rare entities like bronchogenic cysts to avoid misdiagnosis and unnecessary interventions.