Abstract
Background. Extralobar pulmonary sequestration (ELPS) is a relatively uncommon congenital anomaly, a majority of which is found between the left lower lobe and diaphragm on the left side. We report a case of ELPS which appeared to be a mediastinal mass, but required differentiation from a mediastinal tumor. Case. A 61-year-old asymptomatic man was admitted because of an abnormal shadow detected by mass X-ray examination. A chest computed tomographic scan revealed a wedge-shaped cystic mass, 45×25mm in size, on the left side of the anterior mediastinum. Because malignancy could not be discounted, thoracoscope-assisted surgical excision was performed. The red-colored, elastic and soft tumor was covered with mediastinal pleura, and its blood supply was from the left internal thoracic artery. ELPS was diagnosed based on the findings of intraoperative pathological examination. Conclusion. Although ELPS is rarely found in the anterior mediastinum, it must be considered as a differential diagnosis of anterior mediastinal tumor.
