Combination of a bronchogenic cyst in the thoracic spinal canal with chronic myelocytic leukemia

• Published in: Open life sciences 2023-09, Vol.18 (1), p.240-5
• Main Authors: Zhang, Hao, Li, Hai-Feng, Duan, Hai-Feng, Huang, Ke-Feng, Tian, Zhi-Hua
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: bronchogenic cyst; Case Report; chronic myelocytic leukemia; intramedullary; surgical resection
• ISSN: 2391-5412; 2391-5412
• DOI: 10.1515/biol-2022-0736

The presented case report describes an incredibly rare instance of an intramedullary bronchial cyst located in the thoracic spinal canal on the dorsal side of the spinal cord, which was observed in a patient with chronic myelogenous leukemia. A 29-year-old man presented with back pain for half a month, along with numbness and pain below the chest and ribs for 1 week. Hypersensitivity was present in the inferior plane of the long xiphoid process in the nervous system. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed intramedullary cystic lesions in the vertebral body plane of the third to the fourth thoracic vertebra. There was no recurrence during the 6-month postoperative follow-up period. The histopathological findings were consistent with bronchogenic cysts. Cystic lesions were eliminated through the posterior median approach. After the cyst ruptured during surgery, gel liquid was seen, and the majority of the cyst walls were removed. One week after the surgery, the hypersensitivity fully subsided. Six months following surgery, an updated MRI revealed no recurrence. Intramedullary bronchogenic cysts on the dorsal side of the thoracic spine are extremely uncommon. Diagnosis requires histopathological evidence, and it is challenging to diagnose before surgery. Prompt surgical resection is recommended in case of positive diagnosis.