Case report: A unique case of benign teratoma in the posterior mediastinum associated with anterior meningomyelocele in a one-year-old child

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Benign cystic teratoma considered an extragonadal germ cell tumor that can present at any age and mostly located in the anterior mediastinum, only 3 %–8 % are in the posterior mediastinum. Meningomyelocele is an abnormal herniation of the meninges that located in most cases posteriorly in lumbosacral spine. Cervicothoracic meningomyelocele are rare entities resemble only 1 %–5 % of all neural tube defects. The presence of both anterior meningomyelocele (MMC) an benign teratoma is very rare and this association in the thoracic column has never been mentioned before in the medical literature. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of a one-year-old child, who was admitted to our hospital with a complaint recurrent vomiting episode, and respiratory distress, with no improvement in symptoms after conservative treatment. Computed tomography showed an anterior heterogeneous meningomyelocele that extend posteriorly to the upper lobe of right lung tissue. MRI confirmed the presence of the meningomyelocele in addition to a heterogenous cystic structure within. Thoracotomy was indicated and the meningomyelocele was carefully resected and sent to histopathology analysis which showed the presence of a benign teratoma accompanying the meningomyelocele. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Meningomyeloceles and teratoma are rarely associated, especially in the thoracic spine. Mediastinal tumors should be taken into consideration when a mass is found. A thorough imaging investigations is crucial in establishing the diagnosis along with histopathology after complete resection. CONCLUSION: In the presence of posterior mediastinal meningomyelocele with heterogeneity, a histopathological examination of the specimen should be performed to exclude the mediastinal tumors.