A symptomatic anterior mediastinal mass with a simultaneous Haemophilus influenzae infection

Abstract

Surgical resection remains the treatment of choice for mature mediastinal teratoma, and the operation itself is sometimes complicated or life‐threatening, especially when it ruptures into adjacent vital structures. We describe a rare case of unanticipatedly delayed complete resection of a symptomatic teratoma with simultaneous Haemophilus influenzae infection, followed by extended rupture into the pleural space, lung, and bronchus. The clinical presentation and the microbiological and radiologic features may lead to the impression of a lung abscess until it can be proven otherwise pathologically after an initial thoracic aspiration. Accordingly, surgical intervention through a minimal approach, such as video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery, might be considered a strategy after the initial extended rupture.