Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Long-term survival in six cats with mediastinal cysts
By Camero, Corrine M et al.·Published in Journal of feline medicine and surgery·2019·Care Center, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Long-term survival in six cats with mediastinal cysts.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
Six cats were found to have fluid-filled cysts in their chest area while being treated for other health issues like bladder cancer, flea dermatitis, and hyperthyroidism. These cysts were identified through imaging tests and were confirmed to be benign, meaning they weren't harmful. Interestingly, after a procedure to sample the fluid, the cysts disappeared from imaging tests, and no treatment was needed. Over a follow-up period of 2 to 9 years, the cysts returned in five of the cats, but none showed any symptoms or health problems related to them.
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Abstract
CASE SERIES SUMMARY: Mediastinal cysts were diagnosed as incidental findings in six cats evaluated for non-thoracic disease, including staging for historical bladder leiomyosarcoma, flea dermatitis and hairballs, and hyperthyroidism. Radiographically, the cysts appeared as soft tissue opacities cranial to the heart. Ultrasound revealed the masses to be thin-walled, single lumen, anechoic, fluid-filled structures. One cat also had thoracic and abdominal CT performed for cancer staging; the CT revealed a well-defined, fluid-attenuating mass without peripheral contrast enhancement in the cranial mediastinum. Fine-needle aspiration confirmed acellular fluid consistent with a cyst in five cases; in one case the cyst ruptured during aspiration and no fluid was obtained. Post-aspiration, all masses were no longer visible with ultrasound or radiographs. No treatment was recommended for the cysts. Long-term follow-up (2-9 years post-diagnosis) was available in all six cats. The cysts recurred in five cats but were never associated with clinical signs. RELEVANCE AND NOVEL INFORMATION: Mediastinal cysts are an important benign differential for cranial mediastinal masses in cats. Treatment for the cysts does not appear to be indicated. This series also includes the first CT description of this clinical entity.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30375923/