OBJECTIVE: To analyze the different approaches in diagnosing and managing mediastinal cysts in a single tertiary specialty hospital.

METHODS: A retrospective study on patients with mediastinal cysts who underwent surgery from January 2002 to December 2009 in a single tertiary hospital. The authors analyzed demographic data, clinical presentation, diagnostic procedures, lesion location,size,type of surgery carried out, histological diagnosis, postoperative morbidity and mortality.

RESULTS: Thirty seven patients with mediastinal cysts; 21 female (57%) and 16 male (43%). Mean age was 33.5 years. Most of the patients were asymptomatic (27%) but among those with symptoms most common were dyspnea and chest pain. The right side was the most common laterality 24 (64.9%). The anterior mediastinum was the most commonly involved site 34(91.9 %). Sizes ranged from 4 to 27cm with a mean of 11.5cm. Most of the cystic lesions were benign except for 1 which showed malignancy. There was no postoperative death. Morbidities were atelectasis, airleak and chylothorax.

CONCLUSION: Surgical excision of mediastinal cyst is indicated to prevent complications from rupture andfurther enlargement leading to respiratory embarrassment, low morbidity and no mortality.

Human ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Mediastinal Cyst ; Mediastinum ; Chylothorax ; Tertiary Care Centers ; Chest Pain ; Dyspnea ; Hypertrophy ; Pulmonary Atelectasis