Ruptured Mature Cystic Teratoma in the Posterior Mediastinum: A Case Report

Mature teratomas are the most common mediastinal germ cell tumors. Most mature teratomas are located in the anterior mediastinum, and only 3–8% of mature teratomas occur in the posterior mediastinum (1). Mature teratomas may rarely rupture into adjacent structures (2). Based on a review of the literature, ruptured mature teratomas in the posterior mediastinum have not been reported previously. Ruptured teratomas with invasion of adjacent structures, such as the pleural space, pericardium, or lung parenchyma, have rarely been reported, but all reported mediastinal mature teratomas have been located in the anterior mediastinum (2). In this case report, we noted an unusual tumor location and imaging findings of ruptured mature teratomas in the mediastinum. We present a case of ruptured mature cystic teratoma located in the posterior mediastinum with fistula formation of the adjacent lung and esophagus.