Skip to main content
Log in

Multilocular Mediastinal Cyst with Rim Calcification: Report of a Case

  • Case Reports
  • Published:
Surgery Today Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

We report a case of a multilocular anterior mediastinal cyst with rim calcification and severe adhesion to the adjacent organs. We excised the cyst completely, with resection of the left phrenic nerve, pericardium, and left lung because of the severe adhesion. Histological examination revealed that the multilocular cystic walls were composed of fibrous connective tissue and calcifications, but the lining epithelial cells were absent because of dystrophic calcification resulting from chronic inflammation. On the basis of the location and pathological findings, we diagnosed a multilocular mediastinal cystic tumor; most likely a multilocular thymic cyst. It is important to distinguish a multilocular thymic cyst from a unilocular thymic cyst because a multilocular thymic cyst may recur postoperatively and coexist with a thymic epithelial tumor. Dense adhesion to the surrounding mediastinal structures may make removal difficult, especially if there is rim calcification.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. S Suster J Rosai (1991) ArticleTitleMultilocular thymic cyst: an acquired reactive process. Study of 18 cases Am J Surg Pathol 15 388–98 Occurrence Handle2006719 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK3M7nsVWiug%3D%3D Occurrence Handle10.1097/00000478-199104000-00008

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. AJ Cohen L Thompson FH Edwards RF Bellamy (1991) ArticleTitlePrimary cysts and tumors of the mediastinum Ann Thorac Surg 51 378–86 Occurrence Handle1998414 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK3M7ltFWlug%3D%3D Occurrence Handle10.1016/0003-4975(91)90848-K

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Y Shimosato K Mukai (1997) Tumor of the mediastinum J Rosai (Eds) Atlas of tumor pathology. 3rd series. Fascicle 2 Armed Forces Institute of Pathology Washington, DC 233–7

    Google Scholar 

  4. S Sugimoto T Misao H Nakano M Yamane (2004) ArticleTitleMediastinal cyst with rim calcification Jpn J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 52 261–3 Occurrence Handle15195750 Occurrence Handle10.1055/s-2004-821154

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. N Ose K Ohno Y Nakamura T Miyata S Yamamoto (2006) ArticleTitleA case report of mediastinal cyst with rim calcification (in Japanese with English abstract) Nihon Kokyukigeka Gakkaizasshi (Jpn J Chest Surg) 20 955–9

    Google Scholar 

  6. M Sato Y Ozeki H Deguchi M Kuwahara S Aida S Tanaka (1998) ArticleTitleMediastinal cyst with rim calcification (in Japanese with English abstract) Nihon Kokyukigeka Gakkaizasshi (Jpn J Chest Surg) 12 613–7

    Google Scholar 

  7. Y Monden A Masaoka M Maeda K Nakahara S Oshima Y Tani et al. (1980) ArticleTitleThymoma with calcification (in Japanese with English abstract) Kyoubu Geka (Jpn J Thorac Surg) 33 126–30 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaL3c7ktFeisA%3D%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. S Suster J Rosai (1992) ArticleTitleCystic thymomas: a clinicopathologic study of ten cases Cancer 69 92–7 Occurrence Handle1727679 Occurrence Handle10.1002/1097-0142(19920101)69:1<92::AID-CNCR2820690117>3.0.CO;2-# Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK38%2FovFylug%3D%3D

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. M Sasaki Y Kuwabara Y Ichiya Y Akashi T Yoshida M Nakagawa et al. (1999) ArticleTitleDifferential diagnosis of thymic tumors using a combination of 11C-methionine PET and FDG-PET J Nucl Med 40 1595–601 Occurrence Handle10520697 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK1MvkvFSjtQ%3D%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Osaki, T., Nakagawa, M. Multilocular Mediastinal Cyst with Rim Calcification: Report of a Case. Surg Today 38, 52–55 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00595-007-3566-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00595-007-3566-9

Key words

Navigation