Two Cases of Mediastinal Teratoma Complicated by Lung Abscess

Abstract

We report two cases of mediastinal teratoma perforating into the lung and complicated by lung abscess. Case 1: A 10-year-old girl visited our hospital, and chest CT revealed an anterior mediastinal mass of 30 mm length and right lung abscess. We suspected a mediastinal teratoma perforating into the lung. Surgery was performed after suppressing inflammation using antibiotics. Total resection of the tumor and partial resection of the right lung were performed through median sternotomy. Case 2: A 13-year-old boy was admitted to our hospital with persistent fever and cough. Chest CT revealed a multilocular mass of 70 mm length in the anterior mediastinum and left lung abscess. We suspected a mediastinal teratoma perforating into the left lung. After the abscess was reduced using antibiotics, surgery was performed. The tumor together with a lingular segment of the lung was resected with a combination of median sternotomy and axillary incision. In both patients, surgical resection was performed after the inflammation was resolved by antibiotic therapy. Particularly in patient 2, the lung abscess was reduced, and left upper lobe resection was avoided. Therefore, antibiotic therapy prior to surgical resection for mediastinal teratoma complicated by lung abscess is considered a feasible therapeutic procedure.