Benign cystic teratoma in mediastinum

Ray Ballinger, MD, PhD

Straub Clinic and Hospital

rballinger at straub.net

Abstract

44 y/o man with incidental abnormality on chest film

Keywords

CT chest

Publication Date: 31 October 2003

History and Images

44 y/o man with incidental abnormality on chest film

Findings

Contrast enhanced CT scan images through the upper chest show a multiloculated anterior mediastinal mass with peripheral enhancement. There is a small amount of fat seen on the first image on the right side of the mass.

Diagnosis

Benign cystic teratoma in mediastinum

Discussion

Cystic teratomas in mediastinum are usually benign tumors that occur in young adults. They are usually asymptomatic, as in this case. They occur with equal frequency in men and women. As with other teratomas, various tissues may be found including fat, calcification, hair and just about any other type of tissue.

Differential Diagnosis:

thymoma, substernal thyroid goiter, other thymic masses and lymphoma.