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An uncommon mediastinal cyst with a rare neurologic consequence
Sivakumar Sivalingam1, Ahmad U Qureshi2, Leong M Chern2
1Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, National Heart Institute, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The Annals of Thoracic Surgery
|April 4, 2014
Insights
Posterior mediastinal enteric cysts are rare. This case details an unusual enteric cyst extending below the diaphragm, perforating into the left atrium, and causing a cerebral infarct in a child.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Enteric cysts are congenital anomalies typically found in the posterior mediastinum.
- They commonly present in infancy with respiratory distress.
- Posterior mediastinal cysts are rare, with enteric cysts being an uncommon subtype.
Observation:
- A 5-year-old boy presented with a rare posterior mediastinal enteric cyst.
- The cyst extended from below the diaphragm.
- The enteric cyst perforated into the left atrium.
Findings:
- The rare posterior mediastinal enteric cyst caused a thromboembolic cerebral infarct.
- This unusual presentation highlights a novel complication of enteric cysts.
Implications:
- This case expands the known spectrum of enteric cyst complications.
- Early diagnosis and management are crucial for preventing severe outcomes like cerebral infarct.
- Further research into the embryological development and surgical management of complex enteric cysts is warranted.
Abstract:
Enteric cysts are uncommon posterior mediastinal cysts, usually presenting with respiratory symptoms in infancy. We present a rare case of posterior mediastinal enteric cyst extending from below the diaphragm and perforating into the left atrium, causing a thromboembolic cerebral infarct in a 5-year-old boy.
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