An anterior mediastinal cystic lesion pathologically confirmed as a mediastinal pancreatic pseudocyst after thoracoscopic resection: a rare case report and literature review

BackgroundMediastinal lesions have diverse etiologies, with thymoma, cystic teratoma, and lymphoma being relatively prevalent. In contrast, a pancreatic pseudocyst within the mediastinum is exceedingly rare and can often be mistaken for a thymic cyst or teratoma.Case presentationA 17-year-old female...

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Main Authors: Kui Zhai, Xingpeng Miao, Guiling Xue, Zhanyu Yuan, Mao Jia, Mingyan Chen, Renzhong Zha
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-07-01
Series:Frontiers in Pediatrics
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fped.2025.1613764/full
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author Kui Zhai
Xingpeng Miao
Guiling Xue
Zhanyu Yuan
Mao Jia
Mingyan Chen
Renzhong Zha
author_facet Kui Zhai
Xingpeng Miao
Guiling Xue
Zhanyu Yuan
Mao Jia
Mingyan Chen
Renzhong Zha
author_sort Kui Zhai
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundMediastinal lesions have diverse etiologies, with thymoma, cystic teratoma, and lymphoma being relatively prevalent. In contrast, a pancreatic pseudocyst within the mediastinum is exceedingly rare and can often be mistaken for a thymic cyst or teratoma.Case presentationA 17-year-old female presented with a cough and sputum production. Chest CT revealed an anterior mediastinal mass, initially raising the suspicion of a thymic cyst. Thoracoscopic exploration and resection revealed a cystic lesion with a thick wall and brownish fluid. Both frozen section and final histopathological analysis confirmed a mediastinal cyst. Immunohistochemical markers (SYN positive, CK7 positive) led to a diagnosis of mediastinal pancreatic pseudocyst. The patient experienced significant recovery post-surgery, with a marked improvement in symptoms.ConclusionThis case highlights the importance of including mediastinal pancreatic pseudocyst in the differential diagnosis of anterior mediastinal cystic lesions. A thorough clinical and radiological assessment, along with surgical pathology and immunohistochemical profiling, is essential for accurate diagnosis and appropriate management.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2296-2360
language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Pediatrics
spelling doaj-art-de1b8bb8916547ccbe644d5d3248d9122025-08-20T03:29:07ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Pediatrics2296-23602025-07-011310.3389/fped.2025.16137641613764An anterior mediastinal cystic lesion pathologically confirmed as a mediastinal pancreatic pseudocyst after thoracoscopic resection: a rare case report and literature reviewKui Zhai0Xingpeng Miao1Guiling Xue2Zhanyu Yuan3Mao Jia4Mingyan Chen5Renzhong Zha6Department of Thoracic Surgery, People’s Hospital of Xingyi City, Xingyi, Guizhou, ChinaDepartment of Thoracic Surgery, People’s Hospital of Xingyi City, Xingyi, Guizhou, ChinaDepartment of Thoracic Surgery, People’s Hospital of Xingyi City, Xingyi, Guizhou, ChinaDepartment of Pathology, People’s Hospital of Xingyi City, Xingyi, Guizhou, ChinaDepartment of Pathology, People’s Hospital of Xingyi City, Xingyi, Guizhou, ChinaDepartment of Price Management, People’s Hospital of Xingyi City, Xingyi, Guizhou, ChinaDepartment of Thoracic Surgery, People’s Hospital of Xingyi City, Xingyi, Guizhou, ChinaBackgroundMediastinal lesions have diverse etiologies, with thymoma, cystic teratoma, and lymphoma being relatively prevalent. In contrast, a pancreatic pseudocyst within the mediastinum is exceedingly rare and can often be mistaken for a thymic cyst or teratoma.Case presentationA 17-year-old female presented with a cough and sputum production. Chest CT revealed an anterior mediastinal mass, initially raising the suspicion of a thymic cyst. Thoracoscopic exploration and resection revealed a cystic lesion with a thick wall and brownish fluid. Both frozen section and final histopathological analysis confirmed a mediastinal cyst. Immunohistochemical markers (SYN positive, CK7 positive) led to a diagnosis of mediastinal pancreatic pseudocyst. The patient experienced significant recovery post-surgery, with a marked improvement in symptoms.ConclusionThis case highlights the importance of including mediastinal pancreatic pseudocyst in the differential diagnosis of anterior mediastinal cystic lesions. A thorough clinical and radiological assessment, along with surgical pathology and immunohistochemical profiling, is essential for accurate diagnosis and appropriate management.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fped.2025.1613764/fullanterior mediastinal cystic masspancreatic pseudocystmediastinal pancreatic lesionCTx-ray
spellingShingle Kui Zhai
Xingpeng Miao
Guiling Xue
Zhanyu Yuan
Mao Jia
Mingyan Chen
Renzhong Zha
An anterior mediastinal cystic lesion pathologically confirmed as a mediastinal pancreatic pseudocyst after thoracoscopic resection: a rare case report and literature review
Frontiers in Pediatrics
anterior mediastinal cystic mass
pancreatic pseudocyst
mediastinal pancreatic lesion
CT
x-ray
title An anterior mediastinal cystic lesion pathologically confirmed as a mediastinal pancreatic pseudocyst after thoracoscopic resection: a rare case report and literature review
title_full An anterior mediastinal cystic lesion pathologically confirmed as a mediastinal pancreatic pseudocyst after thoracoscopic resection: a rare case report and literature review
title_fullStr An anterior mediastinal cystic lesion pathologically confirmed as a mediastinal pancreatic pseudocyst after thoracoscopic resection: a rare case report and literature review
title_full_unstemmed An anterior mediastinal cystic lesion pathologically confirmed as a mediastinal pancreatic pseudocyst after thoracoscopic resection: a rare case report and literature review
title_short An anterior mediastinal cystic lesion pathologically confirmed as a mediastinal pancreatic pseudocyst after thoracoscopic resection: a rare case report and literature review
title_sort anterior mediastinal cystic lesion pathologically confirmed as a mediastinal pancreatic pseudocyst after thoracoscopic resection a rare case report and literature review
topic anterior mediastinal cystic mass
pancreatic pseudocyst
mediastinal pancreatic lesion
CT
x-ray
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fped.2025.1613764/full
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