Superior mediastinal teratoma containing well-differentiated bowel.
A previously fit and well 14-month-old-girl presented with a 2-month history of worsening cough and wheeze. Chest radiograph revealed a widened mediastinum and thoracic CT showed a large mixed density mass in the superior mediastinum, consistent with a mediastinal teratoma. Her tumor markers were within the normal range. The mass was resected and found to be a mature cystic teratoma. Surprisingly, well-formed bowel-like structures were present, containing all bowel wall layers and having a ganglionated myenteric plexus. The identification of complete sections of bowel in this context is a rare finding and to the best of our knowledge has not been published previously for the mediastinal teratoma. The possibility of secondary neoplasia developing in these areas is a complicating factor.
Robertson
Stuart A
SA
Department of Paediatric Surgery, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headley Way, Oxford, UK.
Nazir
Safraz
S
Bowker
Colene
C
Lakhoo
Kokila
K
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007422:Intestines / Q000473:pathology*; D008479:Mediastinal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology*; D009197:Myenteric Plexus / Q000473:pathology; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D013724:Teratoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed