Thoracic duct cyst of posterior mediastinum: a "challenging" differential diagnosis.
Thoracic duct cysts of the mediastinum are extremely rare entities and their pathogenesis still remains unknown. Imaging methods are not specific and show a cystic mass, however the real nature of the lesion is confirmed only with the help of histopathological examination after surgical excision. Here, we present a case of thoracic cyst in a 28-year-old female, lining in posterior lower mediastinum. The cyst was removed by video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) and the histopathological findings were that of thoracic duct cyst. Through this case, we propose an ideal surgical approach and diagnostic procedure.
1 "Microdiagnostics" Ltd., Thessaloniki, Greece ; 2 Pulmonary Department-Oncology Unit, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 4 Obstetric - Gynecology Department, "Thriassio" General Hospital of Athens, George Genimata, Athens, Greece ; 5 Department of Anatomy, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 6 Department of Angiology, "St. Loukas" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Theageneio" Anticancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 Forensic Medicine Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 9 Thoracic Surgical Department "St. Loukas", Thessaloniki, Greece.
Michalopoulou-Manoloutsiou
MM
Electra
1 "Microdiagnostics" Ltd., Thessaloniki, Greece ; 2 Pulmonary Department-Oncology Unit, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 4 Obstetric - Gynecology Department, "Thriassio" General Hospital of Athens, George Genimata, Athens, Greece ; 5 Department of Anatomy, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 6 Department of Angiology, "St. Loukas" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Theageneio" Anticancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 Forensic Medicine Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 9 Thoracic Surgical Department "St. Loukas", Thessaloniki, Greece.
Athanasiou
A
Evangelia
1 "Microdiagnostics" Ltd., Thessaloniki, Greece ; 2 Pulmonary Department-Oncology Unit, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 4 Obstetric - Gynecology Department, "Thriassio" General Hospital of Athens, George Genimata, Athens, Greece ; 5 Department of Anatomy, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 6 Department of Angiology, "St. Loukas" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Theageneio" Anticancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 Forensic Medicine Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 9 Thoracic Surgical Department "St. Loukas", Thessaloniki, Greece.
Bobos
B
Mattheos
1 "Microdiagnostics" Ltd., Thessaloniki, Greece ; 2 Pulmonary Department-Oncology Unit, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 4 Obstetric - Gynecology Department, "Thriassio" General Hospital of Athens, George Genimata, Athens, Greece ; 5 Department of Anatomy, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 6 Department of Angiology, "St. Loukas" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Theageneio" Anticancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 Forensic Medicine Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 9 Thoracic Surgical Department "St. Loukas", Thessaloniki, Greece.
Hatzibougias I
HI
Dimitris
1 "Microdiagnostics" Ltd., Thessaloniki, Greece ; 2 Pulmonary Department-Oncology Unit, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 4 Obstetric - Gynecology Department, "Thriassio" General Hospital of Athens, George Genimata, Athens, Greece ; 5 Department of Anatomy, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 6 Department of Angiology, "St. Loukas" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Theageneio" Anticancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 Forensic Medicine Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 9 Thoracic Surgical Department "St. Loukas", Thessaloniki, Greece.
Paul
P
Zarogoulidis
1 "Microdiagnostics" Ltd., Thessaloniki, Greece ; 2 Pulmonary Department-Oncology Unit, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 4 Obstetric - Gynecology Department, "Thriassio" General Hospital of Athens, George Genimata, Athens, Greece ; 5 Department of Anatomy, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 6 Department of Angiology, "St. Loukas" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Theageneio" Anticancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 Forensic Medicine Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 9 Thoracic Surgical Department "St. Loukas", Thessaloniki, Greece.
Drosos
D
Tsavlis
1 "Microdiagnostics" Ltd., Thessaloniki, Greece ; 2 Pulmonary Department-Oncology Unit, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 4 Obstetric - Gynecology Department, "Thriassio" General Hospital of Athens, George Genimata, Athens, Greece ; 5 Department of Anatomy, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 6 Department of Angiology, "St. Loukas" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Theageneio" Anticancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 Forensic Medicine Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 9 Thoracic Surgical Department "St. Loukas", Thessaloniki, Greece.
Ioanna
I
Kougioumtzi
1 "Microdiagnostics" Ltd., Thessaloniki, Greece ; 2 Pulmonary Department-Oncology Unit, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 4 Obstetric - Gynecology Department, "Thriassio" General Hospital of Athens, George Genimata, Athens, Greece ; 5 Department of Anatomy, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 6 Department of Angiology, "St. Loukas" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Theageneio" Anticancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 Forensic Medicine Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 9 Thoracic Surgical Department "St. Loukas", Thessaloniki, Greece.
Nikolaos
N
Machairiotis
1 "Microdiagnostics" Ltd., Thessaloniki, Greece ; 2 Pulmonary Department-Oncology Unit, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 4 Obstetric - Gynecology Department, "Thriassio" General Hospital of Athens, George Genimata, Athens, Greece ; 5 Department of Anatomy, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 6 Department of Angiology, "St. Loukas" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Theageneio" Anticancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 Forensic Medicine Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 9 Thoracic Surgical Department "St. Loukas", Thessaloniki, Greece.
Chralampos
C
Charalampidis
1 "Microdiagnostics" Ltd., Thessaloniki, Greece ; 2 Pulmonary Department-Oncology Unit, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 4 Obstetric - Gynecology Department, "Thriassio" General Hospital of Athens, George Genimata, Athens, Greece ; 5 Department of Anatomy, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 6 Department of Angiology, "St. Loukas" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Theageneio" Anticancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 Forensic Medicine Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 9 Thoracic Surgical Department "St. Loukas", Thessaloniki, Greece.
Nikolaos
N
Fassiadis
1 "Microdiagnostics" Ltd., Thessaloniki, Greece ; 2 Pulmonary Department-Oncology Unit, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 4 Obstetric - Gynecology Department, "Thriassio" General Hospital of Athens, George Genimata, Athens, Greece ; 5 Department of Anatomy, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 6 Department of Angiology, "St. Loukas" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Theageneio" Anticancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 Forensic Medicine Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 9 Thoracic Surgical Department "St. Loukas", Thessaloniki, Greece.
Nikolaos
N
Mparmpetakis
1 "Microdiagnostics" Ltd., Thessaloniki, Greece ; 2 Pulmonary Department-Oncology Unit, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 4 Obstetric - Gynecology Department, "Thriassio" General Hospital of Athens, George Genimata, Athens, Greece ; 5 Department of Anatomy, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 6 Department of Angiology, "St. Loukas" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Theageneio" Anticancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 Forensic Medicine Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 9 Thoracic Surgical Department "St. Loukas", Thessaloniki, Greece.
Pavlos
P
Pavlidis
1 "Microdiagnostics" Ltd., Thessaloniki, Greece ; 2 Pulmonary Department-Oncology Unit, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 4 Obstetric - Gynecology Department, "Thriassio" General Hospital of Athens, George Genimata, Athens, Greece ; 5 Department of Anatomy, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 6 Department of Angiology, "St. Loukas" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Theageneio" Anticancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 Forensic Medicine Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 9 Thoracic Surgical Department "St. Loukas", Thessaloniki, Greece.
Mpakas
M
Andreas
1 "Microdiagnostics" Ltd., Thessaloniki, Greece ; 2 Pulmonary Department-Oncology Unit, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 4 Obstetric - Gynecology Department, "Thriassio" General Hospital of Athens, George Genimata, Athens, Greece ; 5 Department of Anatomy, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 6 Department of Angiology, "St. Loukas" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Theageneio" Anticancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 Forensic Medicine Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 9 Thoracic Surgical Department "St. Loukas", Thessaloniki, Greece.
Arikas
A
Stamatis
1 "Microdiagnostics" Ltd., Thessaloniki, Greece ; 2 Pulmonary Department-Oncology Unit, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 4 Obstetric - Gynecology Department, "Thriassio" General Hospital of Athens, George Genimata, Athens, Greece ; 5 Department of Anatomy, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 6 Department of Angiology, "St. Loukas" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Theageneio" Anticancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 Forensic Medicine Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 9 Thoracic Surgical Department "St. Loukas", Thessaloniki, Greece.
Kolettas
K
Alexandros
1 "Microdiagnostics" Ltd., Thessaloniki, Greece ; 2 Pulmonary Department-Oncology Unit, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 4 Obstetric - Gynecology Department, "Thriassio" General Hospital of Athens, George Genimata, Athens, Greece ; 5 Department of Anatomy, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 6 Department of Angiology, "St. Loukas" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Theageneio" Anticancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 Forensic Medicine Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 9 Thoracic Surgical Department "St. Loukas", Thessaloniki, Greece.
Tsakiridis
T
Kosmas
Thoracic duct; histopathology; mediastinal cysts; video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS)