2025 Volume 39 Issue 2 Pages 90-95
A man in 60s was referred to our hospital for a cystic nodule on the membranous trachea detected by computed tomography. Fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography showed only mild accumulation in the nodule. Bronchoscopy showed a submucosal tumor, and needle biopsy revealed only the cyst wall with no malignancy. We decided to perform surgical resection of the tumor because of the potential risk of airway stenosis resulting from tumor growth. Intraoperatively, a nodule was noted in the superior mediastinum. We incised the mediastinal pleura and found a cystic lesion that was adherent to the membranous trachea, and its size was approximately that of the tip of the index finger. The nodule was carefully dissected from the membranous part of the trachea and removed. During dissection, a 5-mm laceration occurred in the membranous part of the trachea, and this was closed with a free pericardial fat pad. The patient was discharged 7 days post-surgery. Pathological examination confirmed a mucus retention cyst. Retention cysts result from obstruction of the mucous gland ducts. Herein, we present a rare case of a mucus retention cyst in the membranous trachea.
