A novel approach: chest wall cyst excised by MIS

We present a 62-year-old male with a recurrent cyst in the left posterior chest. MRI demonstrated a fluid-filled cavity measuring 23 cm in length and 11 cm in width. The cyst was aspirated demonstrating clear serous fluid. However, the cyst returned and he was referred to us for further treatment. The cyst was excised through a minimally invasive approach using a combination of blunt and electrocautery dissection. The cystic lesion was circumferentially freed from the trapezius muscle and cervical structures. Pathologic examination revealed a benign, fibrous-walled cyst without a true epithelial lining. There are no published reports of a deep thoracic wall cyst resembling this case in terms of histology or location. This patient is free of recurrence 1 year later.