Resection of a Retroperitoneal Bronchogenic Cyst: Laparoscopic Approach

Bronchogenic cysts are rare, benign, congenital anomalies of the primitive foregut encountered in the posterior mediastinum. Retroperitoneal location is uncommon, with only a few cases reported in the literature. We present a 46-year-old man who was examined for a complaint of nonspecific chronic abdominal pain. An abdominal computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging scan were performed and revealed a mass in the peripancreatic region in relation to the left adrenal gland. Because a definitive diagnosis was uncertain, the patient underwent a laparoscopic resection. The pathology showed a cystic lesion consistent with retroperitoneal bronchogenic cyst. The patient had an uneventful postoperative recovery. Surgical resection of these lesions is mandatory to arrive at a differential diagnosis with other retroperitoneal lesions. The laparoscopic approach should be performed by experienced surgeons.