Teratoma do mediastino simulando derrame pleural no estudo radiológico do tórax

Abstract

Teratomas account for 8-13% of all mediastinal tumors. A 27-year-old patient presented with chest pain and dyspnea of prolonged evolution. A chest X-ray revealed near total opacification of the right hemithorax. On a tomography scan of the chest, a collection of heterogeneous fluid, with irregular borders and 10.1 x 11.7 cm in size, was seen in the pleura of the lower two-thirds of the right hemithorax but was not encroaching on any of the adjacent structures. Based on the hypothesis that these findings represented a benign mediastinal teratoma, an exploratory thoracotomy was performed, during which such a teratoma was found and completely excised. The post-operative evolution was favorable. The atypical presentation and considerable growth of the tumor hindered the pre-operative diagnosis.

Pleural effusion as a rare manifestation of mediastinal teratoma: A case report

“…But this case revealed that pleural effusion was caused by mature cystic teratoma. Although because of the similarity of the clinical and radiological characteristics, such misdiagnosis is understandable [7] but it can also delay the diagnosis and increase the costs of treatment.…”