A case of cholesterol granuloma in the mediastinal region

Abstract

Cholesterol granulomas are common in the mastoid region, but have rarely been reported in other areas. We report the case of a 55-year-old man who had a cholesterol granuloma in the mediastinal region. It was pointed out by chest Xp as a round smooth tumor behind the heart during a health check-up by chance. Chest enhanced CT showed a 5cm cystic mass without enhancement in the mediastinal region. We suspected it to be a bronchiogenic cyst, teratoid tumor, or neurinoma. We performed video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). It was finally diagnosed as a cholesterol granuloma, of which the origin was unknown.