Paratracheal air cyst

Case contributed by Dalia Ibrahim
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Cough and dyspnea. Incidental finding on CT scan of the chest.

Patient Data

Age: 30-year-old
Gender: Male
ct
This study is a stack
Axial lung
window
Coronal
Scout image
This study is a stack
Axial lung
window
This study is a stack
Coronal
lung window
This study is a stack
Sagittal
lung window
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Info

Scout image reveals subtle small right paratracheal lucency at the level of the thoracic inlet.

Right sided para-tracheal multilocular air cysts are seen at the thoracic inlet. Tiny connection of those cysts with the trachea is seen along the right posterior aspect of the trachea.

Bilateral fine reticulonodular infiltrates are seen at both lung apices, likely the sequelae of old granulomatous infection (TB)

Case Discussion

Paratracheal air cysts are thought to be form of tracheal diverticulum. Their exact cause is unclear and may be either congenital or an acquired phenomenon. The cysts may be unilocular or multilocular and are often seen to communicate with the trachea.

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