Germ Cell Tumor Complicated by Mediastinal Mass Syndrome: A Report of Cardiac Arrest to Full Recovery

Germ cell tumors (GCTs) are the most common malignancies in men aged 15-35 years. Five percent of malignant GCTs are of extragonadal origin, and the most common extragonadal location for GCTs in adults is the mediastinum. Like other mediastinal tumors, mediastinal GCTs may cause compression or invasion of vital mediastinal structures, resulting in respiratory or hemodynamic compromise. Right ventricular failure following positive pressure ventilation of such patients is called mediastinal mass syndrome (MMS). This report presents a case of a GCT complicated by cardiac arrest shortly after starting positive pressure ventilation, which was successfully resuscitated. Few previous reports demonstrated a successful outcome of MMS. This report highlights the importance of a multidisciplinary approach for such scenarios in light of the scanty literature and lack of clear guidance and the significance of starting chemotherapy in a timely manner.