Bronchogenic cysts are small, solitary cysts or sinuses, most typically located in the region of the suprasternal notch

Suprasternal notch

The suprasternal notch , also known as the jugular notch, is part of human anatomy. It is a large, visible dip.-Anatomical location:...

 or over the manubrium

Manubrium

The manubrium or manubrium sterni is the broad, upper part of the sternum. Located ventrally with a quadrangular shape, wider superiorly and narrower inferiorly, it articulates with the clavicles and the first two ribs.-Borders:The superior border is the thickest and presents at its center the...

.

Histology

They are lined by respiratory type epithelium, which is characterized by cilia. Histologically these are also composed of cartilage, smooth muscle, fibrous tissue and mucous glands.
These cysts originate from the ventral foregut that forms the respiratory system. These cysts are located close to the trachea or main stem bronchi. Rarely there is communication of the cyst with the tracheobronchial tree.

Clinical features

These cysts are found most often in young adults and are rare in infancy. The usual symptoms are the result of compression by the cyst, e.g., dyspnoea, dysphagia, cough and chest pain. Malignant degeneration has been reported in these cysts on rare occasions. Chest x-rays show a smooth density just in front of the trachae or main stem bronchi at the carinal level. When the cyst communicates with the tracheobronchial tree, the air-fluid level may be seen within the cyst.
CT scanning is useful in localising these cysts.

Treatment

• Excision
  Excision
  Excision is the alias of Jeff Abel, a dubstep DJ and music boss from British Columbia, Canada. He frequently works with fellow Canadian dubstep producers Datsik and Downlink. As one of the first dubstep producers and DJs in North America, he has played a significant role in the genre's growth in...
  
   provides definitive diagnosis and cure.
• Biopsy
  Biopsy
  A biopsy is a medical test involving sampling of cells or tissues for examination. It is the medical removal of tissue from a living subject to determine the presence or extent of a disease. The tissue is generally examined under a microscope by a pathologist, and can also be analyzed chemically...
  
   provides definitive diagnosis with less surgical risk.
• Observation
  Observation
  Observation is either an activity of a living being, such as a human, consisting of receiving knowledge of the outside world through the senses, or the recording of data using scientific instruments. The term may also refer to any data collected during this activity...
  
  provides minimal risk from the intervention, but carries some risk of bleeding or infection of the cyst at a later time, making excision more difficult if it occurs.