The value of transoesophageal ultrasonography in the management of a mediastinal foregut cyst

Abstract
Mediastinal foregut cysts account for approximately 10% of primary mediastinal masses. The differentiation of these cysts from other mediastinal masses is important, especially if a policy of aspiration and observation of cysts is adopted. Computed tomography (CT) is generally regarded as the definitive imaging modality in these cases, but it may occasionally fail to identify the cystic nature of the mass. We report a case in which transoesophageal ultrasound contributed to the diagnosis and demonstrated features of the cyst contents that were not visible on CT.