Large Mediastinal Mass Managed Conservatively in an Elderly Woman

Abstract

Mediastinal masses have been eluding clinicians for a long time, owing to their common symptoms that are attributable to common infective and non infective etiologies and their rare incidence. They are generally diagnosed in the anterior mediastinum and include a variety of different entities demonstrating a range of clinicopathologic features. Chest computed tomography is important for the diagnosis, to know the extent of disease and helps in the prognosis. The prognosis of mature teratoma is excellent, surgical removal is curative. This case report was of a 58-year-old female, an unusual age of presentation, diagnosed as benign mature teratoma and was managed conservatively with periodic assessment for symptomatology. A conservative rather than surgical approach was chosen keeping in mind the socio-economic profile of the patient, surgical complications, and benign nature of the disease. The uniqueness of our case is hidden behind the unusual presentation of the disease coupled with belonging to an eastern world where surgical modalities are not as accessible and affordable. Hence, a conservative approach might be an equally effective solution, especially considering the age of presentation.