A Young Female with Anterior Mediastinal Mature Teratoma: A Rare Etiology of Chest Pain in Young Adults Managed Successfully

Abstract

Mediastinal teratoma is rare congenital neoplasm which is usually discovered in the late second or third decade of life. A 24 year old young female with no past significant history came to a private hospital with complaints of central chest pain for 6 months. On examination her vitals were normal with no significant findings including cardiovascular and respiratory system. Her Computed tomography (CT) of chest revealed a large mass of 10×8 cm size, non-contrast mixed density lesion which was partly cystic and partly solid occupying in her anterior mediastinum and right hemithorax with calcification in the outside wall. She was planned for surgical excision. A standard median sternotomy was done. Then wall of the lesion was excised and whitish fluid was sucked out. (Fig-4) A lot of semisolid whitish material came out of the lesion containing hair and bony fragments.The wall was separated from pericardium and pleura along with great vessels. After removal of the remaining tissue, the cavity was washed with normal saline. Sternotomy was closed keeping two chest drains. Her post-operative period was uneventful. Her Histopathology report revealed the lesion was a mature cystic teratoma with no malignant potential. She came for follow up after 3 months and she was in good health.