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.     

Thoracic duct cyst of the mediastinum.

Thoracic duct cysts of the mediastinum are extremely rare. The etiology may be related to a congenital or degenerative weakness in the wall of the thoracic duct. They are generally asymptomatic but may sometimes cause pressure effects on adjacent structures. Imaging studies are supportive but not diagnostic. Excision of these cysts is required for diagnosis and to prevent complications. We describe a 49-year old man who presented to us with hoarseness and a fixed right vocal cord. Computed tomography (CT) showed a cystic posterior mediastinal mass in the right paratracheal region. We performed a posterolateral thoracotomy and found the cyst arising from the thoracic duct and contained chylous fluid with a high lipid concentration. We dissected the cyst from the surrounding structures and excised it. Histopathology revealed a cyst lined by a single layer of endothelial cells. He is asymptomatic now one year after surgery.     

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.     

Robotic-assisted resection of an intrapericardial bronchogenic cyst

The advantages of robotic-assisted surgery have been well described and include improved three-dimensional visualization, increased precision of dissection, and the absence of tremor. These characteristics are particularly useful in the mediastinal dissection of major vascular structures. We present a case of an intrapericardial bronchogenic cyst resected with robotic assistance. Bronchogenic cysts are congenital thoracic anomalies that typically occur in the mediastinum or lung parenchyma, and occasionally within the pericardium. Historically a sternotomy was required for complete resection, although a thoracoscopic approach has now been widely adopted. We report the resection of an intrapericardial bronchogenic cyst utilizing a robotic-assisted thoracoscopic approach and a review of the literature regarding the incidence, diagnosis, and management of this rare condition.     

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.     

Impersonation of a ruptured thoracic aneurysm by a transdiaphragmatic pancreatic cyst

Pancreatic cysts can, in rare cases, expand into the posterior mediastinum and may require surgical resection. We present the case of a patient with a thoracic aneurysm, in whom the mediastinal involvement of a chronic pancreatic cyst masqueraded as a ruptured aneurysm. Surgery was undertaken: first, the initial resection and drainage of the thoracic portion of the pseudocyst, and second, a thorough cleansing of the entire cyst through median laparotomy 15 days later.     

Endobronchial ultrasonography in a patient with a mediastinal thoracic duct cyst

Mediastinal thoracic duct cysts are rare clinical findings. We report the case of a symptomatic 58-year-old woman in whom a thoracic duct cyst was successfully treated with surgical resection. Preoperative endobronchial ultrasonography revealed an oval-shaped hypoechoic area with a distinct, thick pedicle, gradual intermittent flux of the fluid content within the lesion, and endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) revealed lymphocyte predominant serous fluid without malignancy, which is consistent with features of a mediastinal thoracic duct cyst. We postulate that EBUS-TBNA can be used as a preoperative diagnostic tool for patients with possible mediastinal thoracic duct cysts.     

Preoperative diagnosis of a thoracic duct cyst arising in the supraclavicular fossa--surgical case report]

The incidence of cysts of the thoracic duct is very low, and they are reported to account for only 0.0005-0.5% of all mediastinal tumors. As far as we have been able to determine, there have been no more than 24 case reports of the surgical resection of such cysts, including our own. Moreover, lesions of the left supraclavicular fossa as in the present case were noted in only 2 reports from Western countries, and 2 cases can be found in the Japanese literature. We encountered a case of thoracic duct cyst where we were able to make a diagnosis preoperatively by means of needle aspiration, and report it here together with a discussion of the relevant literature. The patient was a 64-year-old woman who was admitted with the chief complaint of pain in the throat and a sense of pressure in the neck. A swelling was noted in the patient's left supraclavicular fossa, and when this was aspirated it yielded approximately 15 cc of yellowish-white, chylous fluid. No hoarseness or dysphagia were noted. CT scan of the thorax revealed a smooth-surfaced tumor extending from the left supraclavicular fossa to the anterior mediastinum. It showed the simple cystic lesion. On the basis of these findings, a diagnosis of thoracic duct cyst arising in the left supraclavicular space was made. Following excision, the patient's postoperative course was favorable.     

Mediastinoscopy in the treatment of mediastinal cysts.

OBJECTIVE: Primary cysts constitute 25% of all masses in the mediastinum. Because radiological investigations are often inconclusive, many adults require mediastinoscopy, thoracotomy, video-assisted thoracic surgery, or computed tomography-guided transbronchial, transesophageal, or transcutaneous aspiration to confirm the cystic nature of these lesions. Minimally invasive procedures fail when the cyst contents are gelatinous and mucoid (failure to aspirate) or when the cyst wall continues to secrete fluid. Though Pursel reported mediastinoscopic extirpation of benign cysts 35 years ago, it remains a "therapeutic curiosity" with sporadic reports of its usage. We report 2 successful mediastinal cyst extirpations performed as outpatient procedures and review the literature with regards to its management. METHODS: A rigid, 8-mm mediastinoscope was inserted into the anterior mediastinum following the creation of a 2-cm suprasternal incision and dissection along the anterior surface of the trachea. After aspiration, cytology of the contents revealed their benign nature. Right paratracheal cysts in 2 adult males were successfully removed mediastinoscopically by blunt and sharp dissection. RESULTS: Histopathology revealed benign mesothelial cysts in both instances. Both patients had an uncomplicated procedure and were discharged within 23 hours. No other pathology was detected on mediastinoscopy, and follow-up at 3 months and 6 months has revealed no recurrence. CONCLUSION: Mediastinoscopic cyst removal is a minimally invasive procedure with a very low morbidity and mortality rate. Morbidity, recovery, and discharge times are much less than those of more invasive procedures (video-assisted thoracic surgery / thoracotomy). We suggest that it should be the first-choice procedure for the excision of appropriately located benign mediastinal cysts.     

Thoracoscopic excision of mediastinal bronchogenic cysts: results in 20 cases

BACKGROUND: We present our experience with thoracoscopic resection of mediastinal bronchogenic cysts in adults. METHODS: From November 1990 to September 1993, 20 patients with mediastinal bronchogenic cysts were operated on by thoracoscopy. The average cyst size was 4.9 cm, and the largest diameter was 10 cm. Ten cysts were located in the middle mediastinum and 10 in the posterior mediastinum. Two cysts were complicated. RESULTS: Thirteen bronchogenic cysts were resected completely by thoracoscopy. We had to convert thoracoscopy into thoracotomy because of bleeding in two cases and because of major adhesions to vital structures in five cases. There were no operative deaths and no postoperative complications. Mean hospital stay was significantly less in the completely thoracoscopically treated group. Long-term follow-up (range, 4.5 to 7.5 years) showed no late complications and no recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative complications, intraoperative injuries, and major adhesions to vital structures seem to be the only unfavorable conditions to thoracoscopic treatment of bronchogenic cysts. This study found encouraging results for thoracoscopic excision of mediastinal bronchogenic cysts in selected patients.     

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。     

呼吸系统外支气管囊肿20例外科治疗

目的探讨发生于呼吸系统外器官的支气管囊肿的临床特点及外科治疗方式。方法回顾性分析我院2002年1月一2013年3月间收治的20例呼吸系统外支气管囊肿患者的临床资料,总结其临床症状、影像学特征及手术方式。结果20例呼吸系统外支气管囊肿,位于前纵隔15例,食管壁内5例。术前均未能明确诊断,术后由病理确诊。就诊时有症状14例（70％）。15例前纵隔支气管囊肿均行完整肿物摘除术,其中7例胸腔镜手术,1例因胸腔闭锁而中转开胸,1例术后出现液气胸、肺不张。5例食管壁内支气管囊肿均开胸切除,其中1例拟采用胸腔镜手术,因无法摘除中转开胸,3例完全剥除囊肿,另2例分别行部分剥除和食管胃部分切除。全组病例均痊愈出院。术后平均随访54（4—122）月未见复发。结论呼吸系统外的支气管囊肿因其位置特殊及临床表现多样,术前诊断较为困难,应通过综合多种影像检查来诊断。治疗上应根据囊肿的情况灵活选择手术方式,前纵隔支气管囊肿建议行胸腔镜下切除,食管壁内支气管囊肿则选择开胸手术。     

Postoperative chylothorax following partial resection of mediastinal lymphangioma: Report of a case

We report herein the rare case of a 20-year-old man in whom a mediastinal lymphangioma was incidentally detected by a chest roentgenogram taken during a routine health examination. Both computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging confirmed a mass measuring 3×7 cm in diameter in the left anterior mediastinum. A thoracoscopic exploration was done, which confirmed a diagnosis of mediastinal lymphangioma, and 3 days later a sternotomy was performed. However, the tumor could not be completely extirpated due to partial invasion. Following the thoracoscopic procedure, a chylous discharge developed which was difficult to treat conservatively and he continued to drain 700–1,000 ml of chyle daily 2 weeks following the tumor extirpation. Therefore, a right thoracotomy with ligation of the thoracic duct was performed which resolved the chylothorax. The patient remains well without any regrowth of the regional tumor 9 months after his operation.     

A thyroglossal duct cyst of the anterior mediastinum

Thyroglossal duct cysts (TGDCs) are developmental anomalies arising from the embryonic thyroglossal duct. They are commonly midline cervical structures associated with the hyoid bone. We report a 3.5-cm diameter isolated TGDC of the anterior mediastinum in a 65-year-old European woman who was treated by transcervical excision. The mass was limited to the mediastinum with a normal neck on computed tomographic scan and clinical examination. This is the second case of mediastinal TGDC known to be reported, and the oldest known age at presentation. The TGDC should be considered as an uncommon differential diagnosis of an anterior mediastinal mass.     

Post-esophagectomy chylous leakage from a duplicated left-sided thoracic duct ligated successfully with left-sided video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery

Three months after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer, a 58-year-old man presented with fluid trapped in his upper mediastinum due to chylous leakage from a duplicated left-sided thoracic duct that remained after excision of the main thoracic duct. Classical lymphangiography using lipiodol confirmed the presence of duplicated thoracic ducts. Conservative treatments were not effective, and then we performed ligation of the left-sided thoracic duct with left-sided video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. Anatomic variations of the thoracic duct can result in chylous leakage after thoracic surgery. Even if the patient has anomaly of the thoracic duct, classical lymphangiography is useful for detecting locations of the thoracic duct precisely, allowing for certain ligation of the duct with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery.     

Thoracic duct cyst: an unusual supraclavicular mass.

Lesions of the thoracic duct may occur either in the neck or the mediastinum. The majority of lesions that present in the neck consist of chylous fistulae and are secondary to neck surgery. Cysts of the thoracic duct are very rare and are usually reported as a disease entity of the mediastinum. There are only two reported cases in the literature of thoracic duct cysts occurring in the neck. The third case of a thoracic duct cyst located primarily in the neck is reported. Thoracic duct cysts in the neck must be differentiated from other cysts of the neck, because not recognizing the inferior attachment to the thoracic duct, may result in the disastrous consequence of a chylothorax. Diagnosis can easily be made by fine-needle aspiration with biochemical analysis. Computerized axial tomography (CAT) is useful in defining the anatomic boundaries. A weakness in the wall of the thoracic duct, either on a congenital or degenerative basis, has been postulated as the etiology. The natural history of these lesions remains unknown. Smaller lesions may be followed at routine intervals. Larger lesions should be surgically removed because of the possible complications that may ensue as a result of traumatic rupture or inflammation.     

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery of mediastinal bronchogenic cysts in adults: a single-center experience

Background

Mediastinal bronchogenic cysts are rarely diagnosed in adults, hence surgical experience is limited particularly with regard to video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. In support of the thoracoscopic approach we report our single-center experience in this rare entity.

Methods

Between June 1995 and December 2002, a nonselected series of 12 consecutive patients presenting with mediastinal bronchogenic cysts underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. Six cysts (50%) had been diagnosed 2 to 22 years prior, only three of which became symptomatic. In asymptomatic patients (n = 7) surgery was performed because of increasing cyst size (n = 3), patient's request (n = 3), or suspected metastasis (n = 1).

Results

Mediastinal bronchogenic cysts were correctly diagnosed by computed tomography in 83% (10/12) and by magnetic resonance imaging in 100% (9/9). Using a three-trocar technique thoracoscopic surgery was successfully performed in 11 of 12 cases (92%). We noted no signs of acute cyst infection. No serious postoperative complications were observed. In 1 patient conversion to open thoracotomy was necessary due to extensive pleural adhesions. In another case thoracoscopic excision of the cyst wall was incomplete. Patients with thoracoscopic excision were discharged after a median of 5.5 days (range 4 to 14 days). No recurrences or complications were observed during a mean follow-up of 40.5 months.

Conclusions

Considering the low conversion and complication rate in our series, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery should be the primary therapeutic choice among adults with symptomatic mediastinal bronchogenic cysts. Surgical intervention in patients with asymptomatic and uncomplicated cysts appears optional.     

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.     

Papillary adenocarcinoma developed in a thymic cyst

In this report, we describe a case of a thymic carcinoma that developed in a thymic cyst, which was resected by video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). Chest radiography of a 68-year-old Japanese woman revealed an abnormal shadow. She was asymptomatic with normal physical examination findings. Chest computed tomography demonstrated a well-confined cystic mass that measured 4 cm in diameter occupying the anterior mediastinum. Based on these findings, a thymic cyst was suspected. It was completely resected by VATS. The excised cyst was multiloculated with a partially thick wall. Microscopic examination revealed that the nodular excrescence of the wall to be limited to papillary adenocarcinoma and the cyst wall to be lined by cuboidal cells. On the basis of this diagnosis, we performed multidrug adjuvant chemotherapy. The patient was alive without any sign of recurrence 15 months after the operation.     

Intra-thymic bronchogenic cyst an extremely rare tumor of anterior mediastinum in adults

Background

Intra-thymic bronchogenic cysts are a rare entity but should be considered in the differential of all non-invasive thymic masses.

Case presentation

We describe a 50-year-old patient who was found to have an incidental thymic mass on computer tomography of the chest. Non-invasive thymoma was suspected and a thoracoscopic thymectomy was performed. Final pathology revealed a bronchogenic cyst.

Conclusion

Intra-thymic bronchogenic cysts are extremely rare tumors of the anterior mediastinum. It should be considered in differential diagnosis of anterior mediastinal masses.