Case report: Large cystic teratoma of anterior mediastino

Introduction: Mediastinal teratomas come from primordial germ cells, where, in the embryological process there is a failure to complete their migration of the urogenital crest and developing in the mediastinal region. Its peak incidence is between the second and third decade of life, with no predisposition to gender; they correspond to 8 to 13% of tumors in this region; benign tumors have a favorable prognosis to surgical treatment. | Case report: A 45-year-old female patient denies comorbidities and reports previous admissions to emergency care units in the city in the four months preceding the surgical approach, complaining of progressive dyspnea, refractory to oxygen therapy. Admitted to the General Hospital of Nova Iguaçu for clinical investigation of dyspnea on small efforts, associated with reduction of vesicular murmur in the left lower lobe, ventilatory-dependent chest pain and verbal report of mediastinal mass in his last hospitalization. Computed tomography of the chest was requested, which showed a large compressive mass in the anterior mediastinum with left laminar pleural effusion. Left anterolateral thoracotomy was performed at the level of the fifth intercostal space, for tumor resection of the anterior mediastinum, measuring 15.0x10.0x7.5 cm and estimated weight of 1,210 grams, without complications. | Discussion: Estimate the relevance of the case report, the significant volume of the mediastinal mass and the high intraoperative complexity, its content and the expressive clinical improvement in short recovery time. | Conclusion: Surgical intervention in cases of mediastinal tumors are essential in symptomatic or non-symptomatic cases, so that the histopathological report designates the characteristics of this germ tumor and the appropriate treatment.