The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, Vol 58, 545-548, Copyright © 1994 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
Benign mediastinal teratoma masquerading as a large multiloculated effusion
LA Robinson, LF Rikkers and JR Dobson
Department of Surgery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha.
Benign mediastinal teratomas are uncommon germ cell tumors often discovered
while still asymptomatic. Almost all arise in the anterosuperior
mediastinal compartment, and most symptoms, when present, result from
compression of adjacent structures. We report a case of a large teratoma
arising from the anterior mediastinum that presented a confusing clinical
picture of a multiloculated pleural effusion. It was successfully treated
by surgical excision, with no long-term recurrence.