Hydropneumothorax: A Presentation of Infected Bronchogenic Cyst.

Bronchogenic cysts are closed sac-like cystic lesions resulting from abnormal budding of the primitive foregut during the early development of the alimentary and respiratory systems. We describe the case of a 54-year-old man who presented to the emergency department with complaints of fever, chills, shortness of breath, and a productive cough with intermittent hemoptysis for the past two to three months. Initial workup revealed a right lung hydropneumothorax with complete atelectasis of the right lung and a mass effect on the left lung. During intercostal drainage, pleural fluid analysis revealed empyema with treated with antibiotics. However, the symptoms persisted after five days of antibiotic treatment and drainage. A multidisciplinary team of thoracic surgeons, anesthesiologists, and pulmonologists was assembled due to the non-resolving nature of the lung abscess. The patient underwent a right middle lobe lobectomy with decortication via open thoracotomy, and a bronchogenic cyst, an uncommon cause of the lung abscess, was suggested by histopathological analysis.