Mediastinal Cysts

Mediastinal Cysts are non-cancerous growths located in the mediastinum — the space between the lungs that contains the heart, trachea, esophagus, and major blood vessels. These cysts may be congenital (present at birth) or acquired and are typically categorized based on their origin:

• Bronchogenic cysts – from the respiratory tract

• Esophageal duplication cysts

• Pericardial cysts – near the heart

• Thymic cysts – related to the thymus gland

While many mediastinal cysts are asymptomatic and discovered incidentally, others may cause significant symptoms if they compress nearby structures.