Abstract
We examined the biochemical composition of the accumulated intra-cystic material obtained from a patient with bronchogenic cyst. Supernatants of this material contained large amounts of protein and lipid. Phospholipid and cholesterol were major lipid components and constituted 36% and 37% of total lipid, respectively. In addition, lecithin was the primary phospholipid and comprised 40% of total phospholipid. In contrast to serum, free cholesterol was predominant and comprised 58% of total cholesterol in the supernatants tested. These data were similar to those in the pulmonary washings from patients with pulmonary alveolar proteinosis, as reported previously. However, supernatants of intra-cystic material showed the same pattern of protein electrophoresis as serum. Moreover, these supernatants had higher concentrations of CEA, LDH, and ferritin compared with serum. The origin and characteristics of intracystic material are discussed.
