Complete recovery of an isolated left vocal fold palsy associated with a benign mediastinal thymic cyst.

OBJECTIVES

To present a case of benign mediastinal thymic cyst, and to review the published information on these cysts, including their incidence, presentation, diagnosis and management.

METHODS

We report the case of a 55-year-old man who presented with a unilateral vocal fold palsy subsequently found to be due to the presence of a benign mediastinal thymic cyst. A literature search was undertaken to identify the incidence, key features and management of this rare condition.

RESULTS

Benign mediastinal thymic cysts are a rare cause of mediastinal masses. Usually diagnosed incidentally, their management is usually surgical. Vocal fold palsy in isolation has not previously been reported in association with mediastinal thymic cysts.

CONCLUSION

This report describes what we believe to be the first published case of a completely reversible vocal fold palsy presenting in association with a rare benign mediastinal thymic cyst.