Work

Mediastinal Lipoma

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Mediastinal lipomas, while rare, can present with progressive dyspnea. CASE SUMMARY: Our case describes a 62-year-old woman presenting with slowly progressive exertional dyspnea over the course of 2 years with a largely unremarkable initial cardiac and pulmonary evaluation. Advanced imaging ultimately revealed a large mediastinal lipoma causing a compressive effect on her left atrium and pulmonary veins. DISCUSSION: This case highlights the importance of considering structural lesions within the mediastinum in the differential diagnosis of exertional dyspnea, particularly when conventional cardiac and pulmonary evaluations fail to elucidate the underlying etiology. TAKE-HOME MESSAGES: Structural lesions, such as slow-growing mediastinal tumors, can cause long-standing progressive exertional dyspnea through mechanical compression of vital structures in the thoracic cavity. Once symptomatic, surgical resection results in symptomatic relief and is curative.

Source: JACC Case Reports

DOI: 10.1016/j.jaccas.2025.104426

Authors: Misha A. Khan, Yash B. Patel, Karldon I. Nwaezeapu, Mohammed H. El Nayir, Robert C. Lyons, Tauqir Y. Goraya

Institutions: Trinity Health Ann Arbor Hospital, Trinity Health Michigan

Language: English

Topic: Soft tissue tumors and treatment

Subfield: Pathology and Forensic Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $850