A Case of Fungal Infection of Paratracheal Cyst that caused Airway Obstruction

Abstract

A paratracheal cyst is an air-filled cyst of the trachea line by respiratory ciliated epithelium. Most paratracheal cysts are usually asymptomatic and found incidentally on routine radiologic examination. However, symptoms such as cough or fever may occur due to chronic infection of paratracheal cysts and there are few case reports of infected paratracheal cysts. Recently, 75-year-old woman presented with fever and dyspnea. Cystic mass with inflammation was found at the right side of the trachea, which compressed the trachea. The mass was excised and pathologic examination revealed an epithelial cystic mass filled with fungal materials. Dyspnea and fever were subsided after the operation. Herein, we report our experience with literature review.