Critical Care and Shock

Mediastinal lipoma with vascular compression

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Case presentation

A 56-year-old gentleman presented to the emergency department with shortness of breath and neck swelling of a couple of weeks duration. After a comprehensive physical examination and chest radiograph revealing an upper mediastinal abnormality, a computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest (Figures 1A and 1B) depicted a 8x7x5.7 cm mass with homogenous fat density and smooth margin, that was causing compression and anterior displacement of the superior vena cava and the left brachiocephalic vein. The patient underwent urgent surgery with removal of the tumor and postoperatively his symptoms had subsided.

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