Large mediastinal teratoma causing recurrent pericarditis (RCD code: VI)

Abstract

The mediastinal tumors are rare but potentially fatal diseases. Teratomas are derived from multipotent germ-line cells. In majority of cases mediastinal tumours are incidentally detected on chest X ray. We present 19-year-old patient with recurrent pericarditis recurrent pericarditis. After comprehensive diagnostic process it was figured out that the reason for recurrent pericarditis was large mediastinal teratoma. Once the correct diagnosis has been made, the patient could have been completely cured. JRCD 2014; 1 (6): 29-32

Primary malignant teratoma of the mediastinum with poor outcome: A case report

“…The presence of tumor markers is of great value in the diagnosis and monitoring a patient's respond to treatment, as they tend to become negative if the treatment is appropriate 4 . CT scan of the chest is the imaging technique of choice in evaluating the mediastinum; teratomas are often presented as multi-locular cystic tumors, a heterogenous mass in the anterior mediastinum containing the soft-tissue, fluid, fat or calcium attenuation 13 . Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used in adjunction to CT scanning in the evaluation of the nature, location and extent of the disease 11 .…”

“…Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used in adjunction to CT scanning in the evaluation of the nature, location and extent of the disease 11 . Varying proportion of mesodermal, ectodermal and endodermal elements are seen on the excised tumor microscopy 5,13 .…”

“…About 5%-10% of mediastinal tumors in adults are teratomas and about 85% of them are benign 1,[9][10][11][12] . The world wide annual incidence of teratomas is about 1 in 4000 live births 12,13 . Risk factors for malignant extragonadal germ cell tumors include: a male sex, the age of 20 or older, Klinefelter syndrome 5,14 .…”