Iraqi Postgraduate Medical Journal

Abstract

ABSTRACT:
BACK GROUND:
Cystic lesions of the mediastinum are not uncommon, comprising 20% to 32% of all primary
mediastinal tumors. They are particularly significant because of the difficulty in making a
differential diagnosis: they can simulate multiple lesions, both benign and malignant.
OBJECTIVE:
The objectives of this study were to review the clinical presentations and the results of surgery in
patients with mediastinal cysts.
PATIENTS AND METHODS:
A retrospective study of twenty-two patients with mediastinal cysts, who were admitted and
surgically treated at Ghazi Al-Hariri for surgical sub specialties hospital during ten years from
January 2003 to December 2013. Clinical features, imaging techniques, surgical approaches,
morbidity, mortality and follow-up were analyzed.
RESULTS:
Out of twenty-two patients with mediastinal cysts, there were 13 males (59.09%) and 9 females
(40.9%) patients. There were 12 pediatric (54.54%) patients ≤ 16 years of age and 10 adults
(45.45%) patients (age range, 36 days to 40 years; average age, 20 years). All patients with
mediastinal cysts were symptomatic. Overall common symptoms were dyspnea (68.1%), followed
by cough (50%), chest pain (31.8%), tachypnea (4.5%), dysphagia (4.5%), vomiting (4.5%), and
fever (4.5%). Cysts excision were performed in all cases with an uneventful recovery and with no
recurrence during the follow up period.
CONCLUSION:
Most of mediastinal cysts located at middle compartment, Surgery for mediastinal cysts is
associated with low morbidity and mortality rates and a very low recurrence rate. It offers a
definitive diagnosis and cure.