Double simultaneous cysts of the mediastinum.

We describe a rare case of double mediastinal tumors in a 60-year-old male with spinocerebellar degeneration. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) accidentally revealed double cystic tumors in the anterior and posterior mediastinum. Surgical management by video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) was successfully performed. The histological diagnoses were confirmed as a thymic cyst in the anterior and a thoracic duct cyst in the posterior mediastinum, respectively.     

达芬奇机器人纵隔肿物切除术23例临床分析

目的探讨应用达芬奇机器人行纵隔肿物切除术的可行性。方法回顾性分析2009年1月～2012年12月通过达芬奇机器人行纵隔肿物切除手术23例的临床资料。年龄33～72岁,平均48.8岁。前纵隔肿物19例,中纵隔肿物1例,后纵隔肿物3例。三孔法,左侧机械臂为抓钳,右侧机械臂为超声刀,中间为观察孔。前纵隔胸腺来源肿物行全胸腺切除术,后纵隔及中纵隔来源肿物沿肿物包膜完整切除。结果 23例手术均获成功,全胸腺切除术19例,中纵隔气管囊肿剥除术1例,后纵隔肿物切除术3例。手术时间（93.9±38.6）min,术中出血（55.2±18.6）ml,术后24小时胸管引流量（115.2±69.9）ml,术后住院时间（5.4±1.4）d。全组无围手术期死亡,无中转开胸。术后病理示胸腺瘤16例,神经鞘瘤3例,胸腺囊肿2例,胸腺增生及支气管囊肿各1例。23例随访1～48个月,平均20个月,无复发。结论应用达芬奇机器人行纵隔肿物切除术安全可行。     

Thoracoscopic resection of a thoracic duct cyst that developed during follow-up for a thymic cyst

A 29-year-old man had been diagnosed with an anterior mediastinal cyst 6 years earlier and was undergoing follow-up. At a follow-up visit, a newly developed cystic lesion was found in the middle mediastinum; therefore, the anterior mediastinal cyst and the middle mediastinal cyst were resected by thoracoscopic surgery. It was observed that the middle mediastinal cyst originated from the thoracic duct, and the thoracic duct was clipped. Pathologically, the diagnosis was a thymic cyst of the anterior mediastinum and a thoracic duct cyst of the middle mediastinum. The patient developed chylothorax after surgery, and a second thoracoscopic operation was performed. It revealed that part of the clipping of the caudal thoracic duct was incomplete, and leakage of chyle was observed. Hence, the clipping was performed again. The course after the second surgery was good. Thoracic duct cysts are rare even among mediastinal cysts and thus require caution due to their tendency to expand.     

电视胸腔镜下纵隔囊肿切除术12例报告

本文报道2011年2月～2012年2月12例胸腔镜纵隔囊肿切除术,囊肿位于前纵隔7例,中、后纵隔5例,长径2．5～13．5cm。手术时间65—150min,平均90min。无并发症。9例术后随访5—18个月,平均9．5月,无复发。术后病理：胸腺囊肿4例,支气管囊肿3例,心包囊肿3例,食管囊肿2例。     

Basaloid carcinoma originated from the wall of thymic cyst presenting as pericardial and thoracic effusion; report of a case

We report a case of basaloid carcinoma originated from the wall of a large thymic cyst, which is a very rare subtype of thymic carcinoma. A 60-year-old man admitted at our hospital due to dyspnea with pericardial and left thoracic effusion on chest X-ray. A computed tomography and a magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a large anterior mediastinal cyst and a small mass lesion on the part of the wall. We performed as possible as resection of the thymic cyst and the tumor with median sternotomy. The pathological diagnosis was a thymic basaloid carcinoma originated from the wall of a thymic cyst, which classified into a low-grade histology in thymic carcinoma. He has been well with no evidence of recurrence for three years since operation followed by a post-operative radiation therapy (total 57 Gy) to the residual tumor and mediastinum.     

Spontaneous hemorrhage of a thymic cyst in an adult: Report of a case

Mediastinal cysts account for about 19% of all mediastinal masses, and thymic cysts represent only about 1.5% of anterior mediastinal masses. Thymic cysts do not usually cause symptoms and are often found incidentally on routine chest radiography. We report the case of a thymic cyst that hemorrhaged into the mediastinum and the right pleural cavity, causing chest pain. The patient, a 55-year-old man, underwent emergency surgical resection and recovered uneventfully.     

Management of thymic cysts

OBJECTIVE: The thymic cysts are rare tumors of the neck and anterior mediastinum. The management of these patients in our institution is reported. Minimally invasive procedures are discussed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Six patients operated in our institution within ten years, with a follow-up of 7.1 +/-3.7 years are studied retrospectively. RESULTS: There were four women and two men with an average of 39.8 +/-16.5 years. The tumor was found on chest radiograph in four asymptomatic patients, one took medical advice for laryngeal discomfort and another for dysphagia and dyspnea. The tumor was localized in the anterior mediastinum in three cases, in the cervicomediastinal site in two cases and in the cervical site in one case. CT scan was practiced in three patients with a mediastinal tumor and MR imaging in one of them. In patients with cervical or cervicomediastinal tumor, a cervical echography was practiced. All patients were operated on: three by cervicotomy, one by sternotomy, one by partial upper mini-sternotomy and one by right lateral video-assisted mini-thoracotomy. Histology confirmed benign epithelial thymic cyst. CONCLUSION: There is no specific marker of thymic cysts. Only the surgical management, leads to precise the diagnosis and to treat these tumors. No mortality, no complications or recurrences are reported. The minimally invasive surgery takes an interesting place for thoracic location, to explore and treat these benign mediastinal lesions.     

Multilocular Mediastinal Cyst with Rim Calcification: Report of a Case

We report a case of a multilocular anterior mediastinal cyst with rim calcification and severe adhesion to the adjacent organs. We excised the cyst completely, with resection of the left phrenic nerve, pericardium, and left lung because of the severe adhesion. Histological examination revealed that the multilocular cystic walls were composed of fibrous connective tissue and calcifications, but the lining epithelial cells were absent because of dystrophic calcification resulting from chronic inflammation. On the basis of the location and pathological findings, we diagnosed a multilocular mediastinal cystic tumor; most likely a multilocular thymic cyst. It is important to distinguish a multilocular thymic cyst from a unilocular thymic cyst because a multilocular thymic cyst may recur postoperatively and coexist with a thymic epithelial tumor. Dense adhesion to the surrounding mediastinal structures may make removal difficult, especially if there is rim calcification.     

Primary hydatid cysts of the mediastinum.

Hydatid disease remains a serious health problem for the Mediterranean countries, such as Turkey. Living in a rural area is an important risk factor for the disease. Hydatid cysts are usually located in the liver, lung, and brain. Mediastinal hydatid disease is very rare that have been only anecdotally in the literature. The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiographic findings and surgical treatment of this unusual lesion. Between 1985 and 2002, 11 cases with primary mediastinal hydatid cyst were treated surgically at our clinic. Median age was 28.4 and ranged from 19 to 46 years. Symptoms included chest pain in nine patients (82%), and cough in six patients (54%). The cyst was located in the anterior mediastinum in four patients (36%), in the posterior mediastinum in five patients (45%) and in the middle mediastinum in two patients (18%). All cysts were intact except one cyst that ruptured into right intrapleural space. Surgical approach was right thoracotomy in five patients (45%), left thoracotomy in three patients (27%), and median sternotomy in three patients (27%). Total pericystectomy was chosen as the surgical procedure in all patients except four (36%), who had cystectomy and local curettage for cyst located vital structures. There were no complications and mortality postoperatively. Primary hydatid cysts of the mediastinum are distinct clinical entity that must be considered when caring for a patient with a mediastinal mass in endemic regions. Because of surrounding vital structures the cyst should be treated without delay.     

Two cases of the bronchial cyst located in the anterior mediastinum]

Bronchial cysts are common cystic tumors around the tracheobronchial tree in the middle and posterior mediastinum and rarely locate in the anterior mediastinum. We reported two cases of the bronchial cyst located in the anterior mediastinum. One case was a 57 year-old-female. A thymic cyst was suspected and the extended total thymectomy was performed through the mediansternotomy. The microscopic examination showed bronchial epithelium and cartilage in the cystic wall. The another case was 71 year-old-male operated by thoracoscopic surgery for the cystic tumor in the anterior mediastinum. Microscopic examination showed bronchial epithelium and gland in the cystic wall.     

Mediastinal cyst with rim calcification

A 58-year-old man who had been undergoing treatment for chronic pericarditis for 15 months was found to have a calcified mediastinal mass shadow on a chest X-ray and was referred to us for further study and treatment. Chest computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed an anterior mediastinal multilocular tumor with rim calcification. Tumor markers were within normal limits. The patient was preoperatively diagnosed as having a calcified mediastinal cyst, and median sternotomy was performed to remove the cystic tumor and the surrounding thymic tissues. Histological examination revealed that the cyst wall consisted of dense fibrous tissue and calcification without epithelial cell lining on the inner surface. Thymic tissue was present around the cyst wall. Although we suspected a thymic cyst from the intraoperative findings, the final diagnosis was made as mediastinal cyst with rim calcification. We herein present a rare case of mediastinal cyst with rim calcification.     

Mature teratoma of the posterior mediastinum: report of a case

Mediastinal teratoma generally arises in the anterior mediastinum. Posterior mediastinal teratomas have been rarely reported to date, especially in adults. We report a case of posterior mediastinal teratoma in a 57-year-old woman. The pre-operative diagnostic work-up revealed a posterior mediastinal tumor with calcification and fluid components. The tumor, adhering to the descending aorta, was radically removed through video-assisted thoracic surgery. Histological examination was concluded for a mature teratoma with cystic change. The imaging features of posterior mediastinal teratomas are identical to those in the anterior mediastinum, except for their location. To be different from anterior mediastinal teratomas, benign teratomas in the posterior mediastinum are often involved with a major surrounding structure, including aorta, chest wall, and esophagus. When a posterior mediastinal tumor has the typical features of a mature teratoma in the pre-operative findings, the adhesion to the surrounding structure should be considered.     

A case of adenocarcinoma of the thymus

A case of adenocarcinoma of the thymus is reported in this paper. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of thymic adenocarcinoma in the world literature. A 51-year-old female was admitted to our hospital because of hyperthyroidism and anterior mediastinal tumor. After control of hyperthyroidism, thoracotomy was performed and the tumor was located in the right lobe of the thymus macroscopically. The tumor was extirpated and the specimen was revealed to be multiple thymic cyst with papillo-tubular adenocarcinoma proliferating in one of the cysts. The variability of the lining cells i.e. squamous, cuboidal, columnar, and transitional cell, suggest that the thymic cyst is of congenital origin and the adenacarcinoma is originated from multipotential lining cells of the cyst. She has no evidence of recurrence for 14 years postoperatively, therefore there is almost no possibility of metastasis from other organ to the anterior mediastinum.     

Robotic surgery for mediastinal tumors

BACKGROUND: The surgical approach to mediastinal tumors has changed during the last two decades. Median sternotomies and thoracotomies have been replaced in part by minimally invasive procedures. Aim of this review is to highlight applications of a robotic-assisted approach in mediastinal tumor surgery. METHODS: Review of the current literature. RESULTS: A robotic approach for thymectomy, anterior mediastinal mass resection, pericardial cyst resection, diagnostic sampling of enlarged lymph nodes in the middle mediastinum, resection of benign neurogenic tumors in the posterior mediastinum and esophageal procedures was shown to be feasible. Postoperative outcomes as well as the contraindications and limitations of a robotic approach are discussed. CONCLUSIONS: For appropriate indications minimal invasive surgery with a surgical robot can safely be performed for tumors in the anterior, middle, and posterior compartments of the mediastinum.     

Infrasternal mediastinoscopic surgery for anterior mediastinal masses

Background Infrasternal mediastinoscopic surgery is a new alternative to the thoracoscopic approach for patients with anterior mediastinal masses.Methods We applied this technique to 18 thymectomies, one thymomectomy, and one cystectomy in a total of 20 patients with anterior mediastinal masses and then assessed the surgical results.Results Infrasternal mediastinoscopic surgery was accomplished in 18 of the 20 patients (90%). The pathological diagnoses included 13 Masaoka stage I thymomas, one stage II thymoma, two stage III thymomas, one thymic cyst, one pericardial cyst, one thymic granuloma, and one mature teratoma. Two patients with stage III thymoma required conversion to sternotomy, one for invasion into the innominate vein and the other for invasion into the pericardium. There was no surgically related mortality or complications in any patients.Conclusion Infrasternal mediastinoscopic surgery is safe and feasible for stage I thymoma and other benign tumors in the anterior mediastinum.     

Thymic Cyst Extending into the Pericardium: A Case Report and Review of Thymic Cysts

The cases of 8 patients with cyst of the thymus are reviewed. The patients were all asymptomatic. Pathological features are described that emphasize the spectrum of findings depending on the degree of cyst degeneration. A case of pericardial extension of a thymic cyst, thought to represent rupture of an anterior mediastinal thymic cyst into the pericardium, is described.     

A case report of thoracic duct cyst

A case of mediastinal thoracic duct is described. A 27-year-old female patient was referred to our hospital for abnormal finding of her chest X-ray film, which revealed a mediastinal mass. CT scan, endoscopic ultrasonography, MRI showed that the mass was cystic in the posterior mediastinum. Intra operative ultrasonography demonstrated a thin-walled ovoid cyst containing some high echoic parts inside, which suggested condensed milky fluid. The small pedicle entered the upper pole of cyst was found at surgery and the cyst contained chyle about 300 ml. Histopathological specimen of resected cyst showed a structure of thoracic duct with some lymphoid tissue. Postoperative course was smooth. The characteristic finding of ultrasonography seemed to be valuable in the diagnosis of thoracic duct cyst.     

A case report of a paraesophageal bronchogenic cyst and an esophageal cyst]

There are relatively few paraesophageal bronchogenic and esophageal cysts in mediastinal tumors. It is often difficult to distinguish between these cysts. Case 1: 11 year old, male with no symptoms. An abnormal tumor shadow was revealed by chest roentgenogram. Before operating, CT, MRI and other laboratory tests were suggested that the tumor was neurogenic. A cyst with a pedicle connected to the esophageal muscle layer was found during the operation. Pathological examination confirmed a bronchogenic cyst lined with cartilage. Case 2: 38 year old female with epigastralgia. Upper gastrointestinal series revealed that the thoracic esophagus was smoothly compressed from the outside. CT and MRI showed a well-defined cystic mass in the posterior mediastinum. The cyst bordered the esophagus, but there was no direct communication between them. The pathological findings showed the presence of a double layer of smooth muscle without cartilage which was diagnosed as an esophageal cyst.     

Erratum

Background: Rarely, a posterior mediastinal mass may mimic an adrenal tumor on preoperative computed tomography (CT) scan. The intraoperative discovery that a mass thought to be associated with the adrenal gland actually is above the diaphragm in the posteroinferior mediastinum poses a challenge for the laparoscopic surgeon. Conversion to a thoracotomy or to videothoracoscopy incurs additional morbidity and risk for the patient. Materials and Methods: We describe a technique for the transdiaphragmatic removal of a benign mass from the posterior mediastinum. A posterior mediastinal tumor was detected during a laparoscopic procedure for a suspected right adrenal tumor. Frozen section proved benign, and the mass was resected laparoscopically via transdiaphragmatic access to the posterior mediastinum. Results: No complications were noted during or after surgery. The patient was ready for discharge from the hospital postoperative day 1. Conclusions: Transdiaphragmatic resection was used successfully instead of conversion to a thoracotomy or thoracoscopic procedure for a benign posterior mediastinal tumor found incidentally during laparoscopic surgery for a presumed adrenal lesion. This transdiaphragmatic approach can be applied to selected benign mediastinal masses.     

Hyperplasia of the thymic gland in a patient with Graves' disease.

A tumor-like lesion in the anterior mediastinum was recognized in a 21-year-old female patient with Graves' disease. A CT examination and MRI suggested a thymoma. A subtotal thyroidectomy and a total thymectomy were therefore performed simultaneously. A pathological study of the thymic mass showed thymic hyperplasia. These findings suggest that an enlarged anterior mediastinal mass in a Graves' disease could thus sometimes turn out to be thymic hyperplasia and not a thymoma.