Anterior Cervico-Mediastinal Teratoma – Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

We report a case of this rare mediastinal tumor with cervical extension in a 31-year-old female who had intermittent episodes of purulent collection in the region adjacent to the sternal notch (cervico-thoracic transition) for 5 years. The patient reported fever in episodes of exacerbation and spontaneous drainage of purulent secretion from this collection after placing warm compresses. Most of these tumors are benign (only 1% of teratoma cases are malignant) and slow growing, as a result they are incidental findings. Due to the low malignancy potential, the treatment for these tumors is surgical resection, which provides excellent long-term survival. The cervico-mediastinal tumor was diagnosed by tomography of the chest, indicating the presence of a mass with mixed content, predominantly cystic, with expansive encapsulated formation, with solid areas that are discreetly capturing contrast, with areas of fatty tissue and foci of calcification, measuring approximately 61 x 60 mm in their axial axes and 95 mm in diameter compatible with anterior mediastinal teratoma with cervical extension. The patient underwent resection of the mediastinal tumor by robotic-assisted thoracic surgery (RATS) and anterior transverse cervicotomy and evolved uneventfully, with the histopathology of benign cystic teratoma.