Thymic Cyst Presenting As an Acute Mediastinal Mass

A 64-year-old farmer developed acute cardiorespiratory distress. Physical examination and laboratory and roentgenographic evaluation suggested acute cardiac tamponade. However, angiographic studies and thoracic exploration revealed the presence of an acutely inflamed thymic cyst Excision relieved the symptoms. Acute enlargement of a thymic cyst should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute mediastinal enlargement. A 64-year-old farmer developed acute cardiorespiratory distress. Physical examination and laboratory and roentgenographic evaluation suggested acute cardiac tamponade. However, angiographic studies and thoracic exploration revealed the presence of an acutely inflamed thymic cyst Excision relieved the symptoms. Acute enlargement of a thymic cyst should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute mediastinal enlargement.