Philippine Journal of Surgical Specialties Vol. 68, No. 1, January-March 2013, pp 21-24
Experience with Mediastinal Cysts at a Tertiary Specialty Hospital
Author(s): Armand G. C. Sarmiento, M.D. and Jose Luis J. Danguilan, M.D., F.P.C.S.
Abstract:
Objective:
To analyze the different approaches in diagnosing and managing mediastinal cysts in a single tertiary specialty hospital.
Methods:
A retrospective study on patients with mediastinal cysts who underwent surgery from January 2002 to December 2009 in a single tertiary hospital. The authors analyzed demographic data, clinical presentation, diagnostic procedures, lesion location, size, type of surgery carried out, histological diagnosis, postoperative morbidity and mortality.
Results:
Thirty-seven patients with mediastinal cysts; 21 female (57%) and 16 male (43%). Mean age was 33.5 years. Most of the patients were asymptomatic (27%) but among those with symptoms most common were dyspnea and chest pain. The right side was the most common laterality 24 (64.9%). The anterior mediastinum was the most commonly involved site 34(91.9 %). Sizes ranged from 4 to 27cm with a mean of 11.5cm. Most of the cystic lesions were benign except for 1 which showed malignancy. There was no postoperative death. Morbidities were atelectasis, air leak and chylothorax.
Conclusion:
Surgical excision of mediastinal cyst is indicated to prevent complications from rupture and further enlargement leading to respiratory embarrassment, low morbidity and no mortality.
Key words: Mediastinal cyst, mediastinum