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.