Subcarinal foregut cysts. A unique clinical problem.

Background: To evaluate the risks associated with a subcarinal foregut cyst in a fixed mediastinal space.

Design: Between January 1, 1986, and August 1, 1997, 8 patients who had subcarinal cysts and who underwent surgical intervention were identified. These results were analyzed to identify associated symptoms and results of surgical intervention. Mean duration of follow-up was 37.3+/-2.2 months and was 100% complete.

Patients: Of the eight patients, three were men. Mean age was 45.6+/-15.6 years (range 24-66). All patients were symptomatic. Six patient suffered respiratory distress. Four patients complained of chest pain. Preoperatively, all patients underwent routine chest radiography. Six patients underwent computed chest tomography (CT); 4 patients had magnetic resonance imagery (MRI) of the chest. Cardiac echocardiography was performed on 4 patients and esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) with or without esophageal ultrasound (EUS) was done in 4. Of 7 patients who underwent bronchoscopy, 6 patients demonstrated extrinsic airway compression. The remaining patient showed fistulous communication.

Intervention: Cyst dimensions ranged from 7.33+/-1 cm (mean+/-SD). Total resection of the cyst was accomplished in 6 patients. One patient with fistulization underwent right main bronchial sleeve resection. Histopathology revealed inflammation of the cyst in 2 cases and calcification of the cyst wall in 1. Fluid from one cyst grew gram positive cocci.

Results: Length of hospital stay ranged from 10.9+/-4.4 days. There were no mortalities. Morbidity included prolonged ventilation (1), pulmonary embolism (1) and left recurrent laryngeal palsy (1).

Conclusions: Our results corroborate the need for surgical excision of subcarinal subtype cysts to prevent the development of mediastinal compression and other cyst-related complications.