A huge mediastinal teratoma in a 14-year-old girl.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Mediastinal teratoma is the most common mediastinal germ cell tumor. Mature mediastinal teratomas are infrequent and often found incidentally.

CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 14-year-old girl who was presented dyspnea for 2 years. A computed tomography of the chest revealed a 19 cm heterogenous right-sided anterior mediastinal mass suggesting mature teratoma. The mass compressed vital structures. The tumor was considered resectable. By hemiclamshell approach, we punctured the tumor and aspirated its contents. The tumor was totally resected en bloc with a cuff of pericardium, phrenic nerve and azygos vena. The pericardial defect was repaired using Mersilene mesh. Histopathology of the tumor revealed a mature cystic teratoma. Postoperative course was uneventful.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Complete surgical excision is the treatment of choice for mediastinal mature teratoma. The choice of incision for removing the tumor depend on the tumor size, location and the relashionships with the associated vital structures. Lengthy incisions were required for the safe mobilization of the tumor. In addition, contents aspiration through a small incision in the giant tumor wall helped improve tumor mobilization.

CONCLUSION: Appropriate surgical strategy for a well selected case maintains functional status and results total tumor resection.