BRONCHOGENIC CYSTS PRESENTING AS NECK SWELLING IN GERIATRIC PATIENT : A RARE FINDING.

Bronchogenic cysts are developmental anomalies arising from abnormal budding of the primitive foregut during embryonic development. Although these cysts are commonly found in the mediastinum, their occurrence in the neck is rare. We present a case of a bronchogenic cyst presenting as a neck swelling in a [73]-year-old female patient. The patient sought medical attention due to the gradual development of a painless, progressively enlarging mass in the neck. Diagnostic imaging, including USG NECK, revealed a ? MATTED LYMPHNODE . Further investigation and aspiration of the lesion were performed, suggestive of metastatic carcinoma in the midline of the neck. Surgical excision was undertaken, leading to the successful removal of the mass. Histopathological examination conrmed the diagnosis, revealing characteristic features consistent with a bronchogenic cyst. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful, and follow-up examinations demonstrated resolution of symptoms. This case underscores the importance of considering bronchogenic cysts in the differential diagnosis of neck swellings, especially when encountered in atypical locations. Timely recognition and appropriate intervention are crucial for optimal patient outcomes. The unique presentation of a bronchogenic cyst as a neck swelling further contribute to the diverse clinical manifestations of this rare congenital anomaly.