ABSTRACT
CT scanning suggested that this was not a malignancy, but a mediastinal cyst – a benign condition. However, the surgeon was not happy with this and felt that an operation was required to make the diagnosis. At operation, a mass was discovered, and a biopsy was taken. The frozen biopsy done before the procedure went any further showed the benign histological changes of sarcoidosis. No investigations such as needling and aspiration were done to see if this was a cyst. Despite the benign histology, the surgeon went on to remove the patient’s lung containing the bronchogenic cyst. The end result was that the patient remained too breathless ever to return to work. She also developed infection in the pleural space and a bronchopleural fistula, and described her life as being ‘ruined’. Regrettably, this was only one of a series of cases in which this particular surgeon was criticised. The trust concerned has ceased to employ him. The case was felt to be indefensible and settled out of court.
