Successful Surgical Management of Giant Mediastinal Teratoma – A Case Report of a Difficult Case without Any Post-Operative Complication

Abstract

Introduction. Mediastinal teratoma is a rare germ cell tumor, located in anterior mediastinum and is lack of population-based study. It usually occurs in the age of 20-40 years, accounting for 15% of anterior mediastinal masses in adults and 25% of anterior mediastinal masses in children. It is frequently diagnosed accidentally on chest imaging due to its asymptomatic nature. Hereby, we presented a case of giant anterior mediastinum teratoma with complete surgical excision without any post-operative complication. This case is unique due to its uneventful result after excision. From our literature research, we successfully avoid the potential post operative complications of resecting this tumor such as bleeding, wound dehiscence and even death. It is due to early diagnosis, treatment and good intraoperative management of lesion & hemodynamics.

Case Report. A 21-year old male was referred from pulmonologist oncologist to our Thoracic Surgical Unit with complains of dyspnea and chest pain. Physical examination showed no lung sounds in (R) hemithorax and was dull to percussion, ictus cordis shifted 2 fingerbreadths towards left-side. Chest X-ray showed a large well-defined lesion in (R) hemithorax and chest CT-scan with contrast showed hypodense mass on (R) hemithorax adhering & compressing the lung, diaphragm, pericardium & chest wall, with estimation size of 60 x 20 x 12 cm, lesion displaced the heart. Patient was then treated with complete surgical excision and found a huge cystic tumor with a size of 60 x 20 x 12 cm adhering to all parts of (R) lung, diaphragm and pericardium. He underwent (R) pneumonectomy due to adhesion. Histologic examination was consistent with mature teratoma. Patient showed no complication after surgery and was discharged uneventfully from our hospital after 5 days.

Discussion. Approximately 95% of benign teratomas arise in the anterior mediastinum. The tumor grows progressively, mostly asymptomatic, dyspnea and substernal chest pain are the most common symptoms if present. Productive Cough of hair or sebum is a pathognomonic sign. Chest radiograph typically reveals a well-circumscribed anterior mediastinal mass that often protrudes into one of the lung, they are usually large at the time of diagnosis. Complete surgical excision is a treatment of choice of mediastinal teratoma, which can be performed through median sternotomy or thoracotomy or thoracoscopy. Some patients require additional procedures (eg, lobectomy, pericardiectomy) for complete tumor resection.

Conclusion. There is still limited data on mediastinal teratoma. Early referral & treatment show good prognosis. Benign Mediastinal Teratomas was tricky to be diagnosed, when it is diagnosed, it is usually very large in size. Complete Surgical Excision can be performed safely without any complications.