CONGENITAL CILIATED COLUMNAR EPITHELIAL CYSTS OF THE MEDIASTINUM

Abstract

Only occasional reports of congenital ciliated columnar epithelial cysts of the mediastinum are found in the literature of the past fifty years. A fairly extensive review reveals that less than twenty proved cases are reported in the English and the German literature, most of these in the latter. Undoubtedly there have been many unreported cases. These cysts are benign, and since the mediastinum is becoming more accessible, owing to rapid advances in surgery of the chest, the future should offer more hope for patients with this condition. The following case presents a typical example of this kind of cyst. REPORT OF A CASE History .—A 7 month old girl was admitted to the pediatric service of the Vanderbilt Hospital on Oct. 8, 1936, and died eight hours later. She was the second child, the result of a normal pregnancy. At delivery the cord was twisted about the neck three times;