Primary Mature Cystic Teratoma of the Lung: A Case Report

Abstract

Background: Primary teratomas of the lung are extremely rare neoplasms. They are thought to originate from derivatives of the third pharyngeal pouch. They generally present with non-specific symptoms including chest pain, cough, hemoptysis, bronchiectasis and pneumonia. Case Report: A 38 year old farmer who presented with a week’s history of cough and haemoptysis. He had no other significant clinical and social history. On examination: findings were essentially within normal limits except for a slightly dull percussion note on the left upper zone with decreased air entry. Chest X-ray showed a honey comb appearance on the left upper lobe of the lung. Chest CT scan (mediastinal window) showed multiple mediastinal lymphadenopathy; lung window showed a mass destroying the left upper and middle (lingular) lobe. A working diagnosis of destroyed left upper lung lobe secondary to? pulmonary tuberculosis to rule out bronchogenic carcinoma was made. He was prepared for and had left posterior lateral thoracotomy with left upper lobectomy. The resected lung tissue was sent to the Histopathology laboratory, which revealed mature cystic teratoma following microscopic examination of hematoxylin and eosin stained sections of formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue blocks. Conclusion: Extra-gonadal germ cell tumors should be a differential diagnosis of lesions of the mediastinum, to aid timely diagnosis and management.