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Virtual Pediatric Hospital: Thoracopaedia: An Imaging Encyclopedia of Pediatric Thoracic Disease: Case 51 Thoracopaedia: An Imaging Encyclopedia of Pediatric Thoracic Disease

Case 51

Michael P. D'Alessandro, M.D.
Peer Review Status: Internally Peer Reviewed

Chief Complaint:
Eighteen year old female with an incidentally noted chest mass

Clinical History:
The patient was an 18 year old female with shingles of the chest wall. A chest film was obtained and showed an incidental chest mass.

Clinical Physical Exam:
Shingles along the chest wall.

Clinical Labs:
Non-contributory

Clinical Differential Diagnosis:
Shingles

Imaging Findings:
Chest film showed a retrocardiac mass that appeared cystic on a chest CT exam.

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Imaging Differential Diagnosis:
Esophageal duplication cyst

Operative Findings:
At surgery, a cyst was encountered in the esophageal wall that was encircled by esophageal muscular fibers, and the cyst was adjacent to the esophageal mucosa. The cyst was removed.

Pathological Findings:
Pathological examination of the cyst showed it to be lined by pseudostratified columnar epithelium. Due to the presence of cartilage, the diagnosis of bronchogenic cyst was made.

Final Diagnosis:
Bronchogenic Cyst

Follow-up and Prognosis:
The patient had an uncomplicated post-operative course.

Similar Cases:
Case 50

References: