A case of anterior mediastinal mature teratoma with severe inflammatory extension into the neck
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Published on: June 9, 2023
Tomoki Keiya1,2, Hirofumi Uehara3, Miho Aoyagi3,4
1Department of Thoracic Surgery, Hakodate Goryoukaku Hospital, 38-3 Goryokakucho, Hakodate, Hokkaido, 040-0001, Japan. keiyatomoki@gmail.com.
Background:
We present the case of a rare occurrence of an anterior mediastinal mature teratoma extending into the neck, commonly referred to as a cervicothoracic mature teratoma.
Case Presentation:
A 19-year-old female presented with right-sided neck pain and swelling, which were found to be attributed to a 14 cm cystic lesion originating from the right thyroid lobe and extending into the mediastinum. A diagnosis of mediastinal teratoma with extension to the neck was made. Robot-assisted thymectomy was initiated but was complicated by dense tumor adherence to the superior vena cava and brachiocephalic veins, prompting a switch to a midline sternotomy. Simultaneous resection of the right thyroid lobe was performed due to inflammation. The transition to a midline sternotomy allowed successful excision of the tumor, which was confirmed to be a mature teratoma confined to the thoracic region. The patient's favorable postoperative course led to discharge on day 5 with no recurrence at nine months.
Conclusions:
Emphasizing the challenges and the importance of prompt intervention in the management of mediastinal teratomas with neck extension.
