Gastric bronchogenic cysts (BCs) are extremely rare cystic masses caused by abnormal development of the respiratory system during the embryonic period. Gastric bronchial cysts are rare lesions that were first reported in 1956; as of 2023, only 33 cases are available in the PubMed online database. BCs usually have no clinical symptoms in the early stage, and imaging findings also lack specificity. Therefore, they are difficult to diagnose before histopathological examination.

A 34-year-old woman with respiratory distress presented at our hospital. Endoscopic ultrasound revealed an anechoic mass between the spleen, left kidney and gastric fundus, with hyperechogenic and soft elastography textures and with a size of approximately 6.5 cm × 4.0 cm. Furthermore, a computed tomography scan demonstrated high density between the posterior stomach and the spleen and the left kidney, with uniform internal density and a small amount of calcification. The maximum cross section was approximately 10.1 cm × 6.1 cm, and the possibility of a cyst was high. Because the imaging findings did not suggest a malignancy and because the patient required complete resection, she underwent laparotomy surgery. Intraoperatively, this cystic lesion was found to be located in the posterior wall of the large curvature of the fundus and was approximately 8 cm × 6 cm in size. Finally, the pathologists verified that the cyst in the fundus was a gastric BC. The patient recovered well, her symptoms of chest tightness disappeared, and the abdominal drain was removed on postoperative day 6, after which she was discharged on day 7 for 6 months of follow-up. She had no tumor recurrence or postoperative complications during the follow-up.

This is a valuable report as it describes an extremely rare case of gastric BC. Moreover, this was a very young patient with a large BC in the stomach.

Gastric duplication cysts are rare congenital malformation with a potential neoplastic progression and they may represent a challenge in differential diagnosis with exophytic pancreatic cyst neoplasm. We describe a case of a 38-year old man, complaining of recurrent epigastric pain due to a large abdominal mass, referred to our Hospital for EUS evaluation. Differential diagnosis was between gastric duplication cyst and exophytic pancreatic cyst because of FNA pointed out amylase 1280 UI/L and CEA 593.33 ng/mL. Despite antibiotic prophylaxis, an overinfection of the lesion occurred after the FNA, likely due to the technical failure to drain the cyst completely. Afterwards, the patient was referred to surgery and the pathologist confirmed the diagnosis of gastric duplication cyst. In this setting, EUS procedure has gained a leading play, complementary to traditional imaging tests, although its role has been not yet standardized in the reported literature. Here, we describe and discuss our demanding case, and we propose an algorithm to simplify and standardize the diagnostic workup.

Gastric bronchogenic cysts (BCs) are extremely rare cystic masses caused by abnormal development of the respiratory system during the embryonic period. Gastric bronchial cysts are rare lesions first reported in 1956; as of 2019, only 37 cases are available in the MEDLINE/PubMed online databases. BCs usually have no clinical symptoms in the early stage, and their imaging findings also lack specificity. Therefore, they are difficult to diagnose before histopathological examination.

A 55-year-old woman presented at our hospital with intermittent epigastric pain. She had a slightly high level of serum carbohydrate antigen 72-4 (CA 72-4). Endoscopic ultrasound found that a cystic mass originated from the submucosa of the posterior gastric wall near the cardia, indicating a diagnosis of cystic hygroma of the stomach. Furthermore, a computed tomography scan demonstrated a quasi-circular cystic mass closely related to the lesser curvature of the gastric fundus with a low density. Because the imaging examinations did not suggest a malignancy and the patient required complete resection, she underwent laparoscopic surgery. As an intraoperative finding, this cystic lesion was located in the posterior wall of the fundus and contained some yellow viscous liquid. Finally, the pathologists verified that the cyst in the fundus was a gastric BC. The patient recovered well with normal CA 72-4 levels, and her course was uneventful at 10 mo.

This is a valuable report as it describes an extremely rare case of gastric BC. Moreover, this is the first case of BC to present with elevated CA 72-4 levels.

Gastric bronchogenic cysts are rare lesions, first described in 1956, with only 34 cases reported in the literature to date. The present study described a case of bronchogenic cyst of the stomach in a 17-year-old female who presented with periodic epigastric pain. In addition, the study analyzed the existing literature on these lesions. Gastric bronchogenic cysts are more common in females (female:male ratio, 21:14) and the median age of their development is 43 years. In total, 48.57% of the 34 previously reported cases were identified incidentally, and the remainder presented mainly with epigastric pain. Cyst sizes varied between 1.7 and 15 cm. In 3 cases, preoperative diagnosis was performed using needle biopsy, whereas several studies were initially misdiagnosed as stromal tumors. In 85% of the cases (31/35), cyst resection was performed, with laparoscopy used in 4 of the cases. The findings of the present study and literature review suggested that bronchogenic cysts of the stomach are rare, and surgical resection is warranted to treat symptoms and prevent malignant transformation.

Foregut cystic developmental malformation (FCDM) is a very rare lesion of the alimentary tract, especially in the stomach. We discuss the concepts of gastric duplication cyst, bronchogenic cysts, and FCDM. Nomenclature has been inconsistent and confusing, but, by some definitions, gastric duplication cysts involve gastric mucosa and submucosal glands, bronchogenic cysts involve respiratory mucosa with underlying cartilage and glands, and FCDM lacks gastric mucosa or underlying glands or cartilage but has pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium (PCCE). We searched our departmental case files from the past 15 years and identified 12 cases of FCDM in the alimentary tract. We summarize the features of these 12 cases including a report in detail on a 52-year-old man with a submucosal cyst lined with simple PCCE and irregular and stratified circular muscle layers that merged with gastric smooth muscle bundles near the lesser curvature of the gastric cardia. A literature review of cases with this histology yielded 25 cases. We propose the term gastric-FCDM for such cases. Our own series of 12 cases confirms that preoperative recognition of the entity is infrequent and problematic. The rarity of this developmental disorder, as well as a lack of understanding of its embryologic origins, may contribute to missing the diagnosis. Not appreciating the diagnosis preoperatively can lead to an inappropriate surgical approach. In contrast, presurgical recognition of the entity will contribute to a good outcome and reduced risk of complications.

Abdominal computed tomography of a 71-year-old man revealed a 3-cm mass in gastric cardia. Although the mass was widely attached to the gastric wall, no clear contrast enhancement was observed. Abdominal magnetic resonance imaging revealed the mass to have homogenous high intensity on T2W1 images and isointensity on T1W1 images. On diffusion-weighted imaging, no high intensity was observed. However, the mass had a smooth surface and was widely attached to the gastric wall, consistent with computed tomography findings. A gastric submucosal tumor was suspected. Laparoscopic tumor resection was performed. Histopathologic diagnosis of the mass was a bronchogenic cyst derived from the respiratory primordium originating in the foregut of the primitive intestine. Such cysts are mostly found in the mediastinum or thoracic cavity; their occurrence on the gastric wall is extremely rare. Despite this, we think that bronchogenic cysts should be considered in the differential diagnosis of abdominal unilocular cystic diseases.

Bronchogenic cysts (BCs) are a rare clinical entity because of anomalism of foregut in the embryonic stage. They have been described mostly within the mediastinum and are uncommon reported arising from the stomach. In this article, we report two cases of BC of stomach identified by pathological examination after surgical resection. It is extremely difficult to make a definitive diagnosis preoperatively just based on imaging findings. Surgical resection may be indicated if malignancy is suspected, or the cyst is enlarging or infected or causing symptoms.

Gastric duplication cyst (GDC) lined by pseudostratified columnar ciliated epithelium (PCCE) is an uncommon lesion stemming from a foregut developmental malformation. Its clinical and radiological presentation is usually nonspecific. In this study, we reported a 76-year-old man who presented with an incidentally found perigastric mass. An exploratory laparotomy revealed a non-communicating cyst below the gastroesophageal junction, measuring 4 cm×4 cm in size. Microscopically, the gastric cyst was lined merely by PCCE. Although rare, GDC lined by PCCE should be included in the differential diagnosis of gastric wall masses. Surgical intervention is warranted in patients who have clinical symptoms, or who are aged more than 50 years.

Bronchogenic cyst, a congenital anomaly mostly found in the mediastinum, rarely arises in the stomach. A 43-year-old man had epigastric pain and was diagnosed as having gastric adenocarcinoma. Abdominal ultrasonography showed hepatic cyst, and computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a cystic lesion near the stomach. At surgery, the cystic lesion was found to be located at the lesser curvature of the stomach where the cancer invasion was seen. Total gastrectomy with combined resection of the cystic lesion was performed. Pathologically, the cyst wall was lined by pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium, subepithelial mixed seromucinous glands and smooth muscle bundles. The pathological diagnosis was bronchogenic cyst of the stomach involved with gastric adenocarcinoma. Based on a similar association between gastric diffuse submucosal cysts and gastric cancer in the previous reports, it is possible that chronic inflammation from bronchogenic cysts to the gastric mucosa may cause adenocarcinoma in the stomach. At surgery, complete combined resection without rupture of the bronchogenic cyst involved with the gastric adenocarcinoma is needed for treatment of gastric cancer to prevent dissemination of cancer cells considering when cancer cells have invaded beyond the pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium and within the bronchogenic cyst.