BRONCHOGENIC CYSTS

Bronchogenic cysts generally occur in the middle mediastinum (see section Mediastinal Masses) near the carina and adjacent to the major bronchi but can be found elsewhere in the lung. They range in size from 2 to 10 cm.

Cyst walls are thin and may contain air, pus, mucus, or blood. Cysts develop from abnormal lung budding of the primitive foregut and can occur in conjunction with other congenital pulmonary malformations such as pulmonary sequestration or lobar emphysema.

CLINICAL FINDINGS

Bronchogenic cysts can present acutely with respiratory distress in early childhood due to airway compression or with symptoms of infection.

Few patients present with chronic symptoms such as chest pain, chronic wheezing, cough. Intermittent tachypnea, recurrent pneumonia, or recurrent stridor, depending on the location and size of the of the cysts and the degree of airway compression. Still other patients remain asymptomatic until adulthood However, all asymptomatic cysts will eventually become symptomatic; chest pain is the most common presenting complaint The physical examination is often normal.

Laboratory Findings - Chest radiographs can show air trapping and hyperinflation of the affected lobes or may show a spherical lesion with or without an air-fluid level. and the rest of the lung. However, smaller lesions may not be seen on chest radiographs. MRI and ultrasound are other imaging modalities used.

Treatment is surgical resection. Resection should be performed as soon as the cyst is detected to avoid future complications including infection. Postoperatively, vigorous pulmonary physiotherapy is required to prevent complications (atelectasis or infection of the lung distal to the site of resection of the cyst).

Homoeopathy can be helpful in treatment of this condition as it treats the person as a whole not just the disease.

Many homeopathic remedies are as followed –Thuja, Cal Flour, Cal pic, Causticum, Ruta.