Mediastinal Cystic Lymphangioma: Is Resection Always Necessary?

Abstract

Mediastinal cystic lymphangiomas are rare tumours. Usually asymptomatic, they can be complicated by a chylopericardium or/and chylothorax. We report a case of a left lesion infiltrating through the supra-aortic vessels complicated with a iatrogenic left chylothorax managed by bilateral video-assisted thoracoscopy at the same time. First, on the right, the chylous inflow was stopped by suturing the thoracic duct; then, on the left, a fenestration was done to confirm the diagnosis and treat the lesion while preserving the adjacent structures.

Key words

Chylothorax - chylopericardium - mediastinal lymphangioma - video-thoracoscopy

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