Mediastinal teratoma: A case report with review of literature

Abstract

Teratoma is a neoplasm with tissue components derived from more than one germ layer - ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. They are commonly found in ovaries, testes, retroperitoneum, and sacrococcygeal region. Mediastinal teratomas are relatively rare comprising of only 8-13% of all tumors in mediastinum and only 1-10% of germ cell tumors occurring in mediastinum. We are presenting a case of a 1-year-old male who came with a history of on and off fever and frequent cough and cold since 3-4 months. On x-ray chest, differential diagnosis of congenital diaphragmatic hernia and left pleural effusion were given and computed tomography (CT) scan of abdomen and chest were advised, which revealed symptoms of mediastinal germ cell tumor. Final diagnosis of mature teratoma was given on histopathology. The case is being presented here because mediastinum is a rare site for teratoma and children are less commonly affected.