A bronchogenic cyst in an infant causing tracheal occlusion and cardiac arrest

A 3-month-old infant treated for 3 weeks for suspected bronchiolitis, devel oped episodes of profound desaturation. A lateral X-ray showed displacement and compression of the trachea. Respiratory; arrest, from which she was su ccessfully resuscitated, occurred just before MRI scan. The mass was remove d at thoracotomy and a histological diagnosis of a bronchgenic cyst was mad e. Mediastinal masses in babies are relatively rare, and the situation in w hich they present with acute respiratory distress may prove extremely chall enging to the anaesthetist. Bronchogenic cysts are difficult to diagnose pr e-operatively and awareness may assist in the peri-operative management of these infants.