CLINICAL HISTORY.—A 5-month-old male infant was admitted to the pediatric service at Harlem Hospital with grunting respiration and inspiratory stridor, which had been present continuously since the age of 4 weeks. The birth weight was 3,360 gm (7 lb 6.5 ounces); the neonatal period was uncomplicated. Except for repeated episodes of upper-respiratory tract infection and noisy breathing, the history was noncontributory.
Physical Examination.—This infant was well developed, well nourished, and in no apparent distress. He held his head in hyperextension. There was mucoid rhinorrhea and inspiratory stridor. On auscultation, bilateral inspiratory and expiratory wheezes and few ronchi were heard.
Chest roentgenograms were taken (Fig 1 and 2).
Denouement and Discussion
Bronchogenic CystAt the time of surgery, a bronchogenic cyst about 3 cm in diameter was dissected from the posterior wall of the trachea, just above the carina. Bronchogenic cysts are uncommon in infancy and childhood. They are usually