title: The history of mediastinal teratoma.
abstract: The first discovery in 1823 of what has become known as mediastinal teratoma is discussed. The uniqueness of this tumor with its various spontaneous complications is described along with its early and often inept surgical therapies. This article highlights the development of the surgical treatment of mediastinal teratoma that has matured synchronously with the understanding of the physiology of the chest and the evolution of modern surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services Univesity of Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Wagner
mesh_terms: D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D008479:Mediastinal Neoplasms / Q000266:history*; D013724:Teratoma / Q000266:history*; D019616:Thoracic Surgical Procedures / Q000266:history*