[Mature teratoma combined with schizophrenia: report of a case]

A 20-year-old woman was admitted to another hospital due to schizophrenia in July 2003. The patient felt chest pain and palpitation in August, and she was referred to our hospital. Chest computed tomography (CT) showed a mass in the left thoracic cavity and a pleural/pericardial effusion. Since general condition did not improved in spite of aggressive supportive treatment, surgical treatment was chosen. An operation was performed via median sternotomy in September. The tumor was found to have adhered firmly to the surrounding organs. Pericardial fenestration was performed; then the tumor was resected with the left phrenic nerve due to tight adhesion. The patient received respiratory support in the intensive care unit for 5 days after surgery, uneventfully. Twenty-three months after surgery, she is surviving and free from schizophrenic symptoms without medication.