Giant intrathoracic teratoma presenting with cachexia and severe dyspnea

Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery

Sanjeev Gopal¹  Hani Shennib²  Emma Ryan³ 

[1] Department of Surgery, University of Arizona, College of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ, USA;Department of Surgery, University of Arizona, College of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ, USA;Mesa, USA;Department of Surgery, University of Arizona, College of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ, USA;Mountain Vista Medical Center, 1301 S Crismon Rd, 85209, Mesa, AZ, USA;

关键词: Mediastinum;    Lung;    Teratoma;    Tumor;    Resection;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s13019-019-0922-y

来源: publisher

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundThis case highlights the challenges of preoperative differential diagnosis and management in a patient with an uncommon clinical presentation of giant intrathoracic teratoma. The age of the patient, location and size of the tumor, and clinical presentation makes this case unique. Typically, intrathoracic teratomas are found between the ages of 20–30, they are located in the anterior mediastinum, and tumors larger than 25 cm clinically present with cough or dysphagia.Case presentationA giant intrathoracic teratoma presents in a 51-year-old female as a mid to posterior mediastinal mass compressing the whole left lung with symptoms of depression, anorexia, unintentional weight loss, and cachexia. Due to her severe deconditioning she was optimized for 1 month in a skilled nursing facility with aggressive physical therapy and enteral nutrition. She underwent left thoracotomy with complete resection of the tumor. In follow up her BMI had improved, and she was regaining strength.ConclusionsComplete resection was achieved via left thoracotomy after aggressive rehabilitation.

【 授权许可】

CC BY