ABSTRACT
An 82-year-old Japanese nonsmoking man presented with persistent dry cough and small left apical pneumothorax. High resolution CT scan of the chest demonstrated bilateral upper lobe pleuroparenchymal thickening and architectural distortion. Serial imaging revealed mild progression and development of small bilateral pneumothoraces, and pneumomediastinum. A surgical lung biopsy was required to confirm the diagnosis.
Subject(s)
Cough/etiology , Lung/pathology , Pleural Diseases/complications , Pneumothorax/complications , Pulmonary Fibrosis/complications , Aged, 80 and over , Biopsy , Chronic Disease , Cough/diagnosis , Diagnosis, Differential , Fibrosis/complications , Fibrosis/diagnosis , Humans , Lung/diagnostic imaging , Male , Pleural Diseases/diagnosis , Pneumothorax/diagnosis , Pulmonary Fibrosis/diagnosis , Tomography, X-Ray ComputedABSTRACT
While most teratomas are asymptomatic, intrathoracic teratomas can rarely rupture spontaneously causing more alarming symptoms. Ruptured teratoma is a serious clinical entity, and early recognition is crucial for avoidance of further complications and preparation of proper surgical approach. We present a case of ruptured anterior mediastinal teratoma with radiologic, pathologic, and bronchoscopic correlation. This case uniquely illustrates a patient presenting with signs of infection and progressively worsening symptoms, thus emphasizing the need for early diagnosis and the importance of imaging.