[Spontaneous rupture of mediastinal cystic teratoma (case report)]

Teratomas are rare tumors in the mediastinum. Benign cystic teratomas of anterior mediastinum are rarely complicated by rupture into an adjacent body cavity. Such rupture, however, is usually associated with life-threatening complications. We present a case with spontaneous rupture of mediastinal cystic teratoma. The patient was evaluated with chest radiograph, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A complex mass including predominantly cystic components was detected in the left anterior mediastinum. After surgery, pathologic diagnosis was reported as mature cystic teratoma. High levels of amylase and lipase were detected in both the cystic fluid and serum. This finding supported the hypothesis of autolysis for the explanation of rupture. In addition, carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9, CA 125 and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels were high in the cystic fluid.