Recurrent mediastinal bronchogenic cyst. Cause of bronchial obstruction and compression of superior vena cava and pulmonary artery.

The recurrence of a benign mediastinal bronchogenic cyst 20 years after partial excision precipitated potentially serious vascular and pulmonary complications. Aggressive total surgical excision should be feasible in the majority of cases. An approach via a median sternotomy offers distinct advantages in certain cases and should be considered. Computerized axial tomographic scanning promises to provide improved definition of mediastinal anatomic features and should be a valuable noninvasive diagnostic method in selected cases.