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Mediastinal cyst

Case contributed by Frank Gaillard
Diagnosis almost certain

Patient Data

Age: 40 years
Gender: Female

Chest

x-ray

Chest x-ray demonstrates a founded well-circumscribed lesion projecting through the cardiac silhouette on the left. On lateral projection, it is visible abutting the heart posteriorly. 

Chest

ct

CT confirms the presence of the lesion which is of fluid attenuation. It is spherical in shape abutting the posterior aspect of the heart appearing to be within the left lung base. 

Chest

mri

MRI demonstrates the lesion to be of high T2 signal. It is spherical in shape abutting the posterior aspect of the heart appearing to be within the left lung base. 

Case Discussion

Appearances of this mediastinal cyst most likely represent a bronchogenic cyst, with the alternative diagnosis being that of a pericardial cyst. Unfortunately, no followup or histology is available. 

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