Extramediastinal bronchogenic cysts in children.

Three children with subcutaneous masses were found to have extramediastinal bronchogenic cysts. The suprasternal area is by far the most common location of this highly unusual embryonic rest cyst. In one of our patients a cyst was located in the scapular region, which is a particularly rare site. To date only 41 subcutaneous bronchogenic cysts have been reported. Preoperative diagnosis is difficult, although the presence of clear mucoid material within the cyst may suggest the diagnosis. The histologic presence of ciliated, pseudostratified, columnar or cuboidal epithelium, mucus-secreting glands, smooth muscles, and occasional cartilage establishes the diagnosis.