# Mediastinal Mature Cystic Teratoma With Intrapulmonary Extension Mimicking a Hydatid Cyst: Advantages of MRI in Diagnostics

## TL;DR

A 37-year-old man's chest pain led to the discovery of a mediastinal cystic mass, diagnosed as a teratoma using MRI, which mimicked a hydatid cyst.

## Contribution

Highlights the diagnostic advantages of MRI in distinguishing teratomas from hydatid cysts in the mediastinum.

## Key findings

- MRI confirmed the presence of a cystic teratoma in the mediastinum.
- The lesion extended into the left upper lung lobe.
- Surgical intervention was required to prevent life-threatening complications.

## Abstract

We report the case of a 37-year-old male patient, who presented with a chief complaint of a sudden throbbing pain in the left side of the chest. Imaging techniques revealed a cystic mass in the anterior mediastinum and the left upper lung lobe. Despite a high suspicion of a hydatid cyst due to the clinical history of the patient and the cystic nature of the lesion, CT and subsequent MRI confirmed the presence of a cystic teratoma, entailing surgical intervention for removal. If untreated, a teratoma can cause significant and life-threatening complications.