Congenital cystic lesions of the bronchi and lungs

A consecutive series of 18 patients with bronchogenic or congenital lung cysts confirmed by operation or postmortem examination is reviewed. Thirteen patients had bronchogenic cyst, and 6 of them were symptomatic: 4 patients had acute or chronic infections and 2 had respiratory distress with hyperinflation of one lung. All 5 patients with congenital lung cyst had symptoms of chronic or repeated respiratory infections. Seventeen patients had operations for removal of their cyst; complications occurred in 6 patients, and there was 1 operative death. One patient died of acute respiratory insufficiency without having had an operation.