Posterior mediastinal teratomas.

Eight benign posterior mediastinal teratomas have been found in the world's literature. Including our case, four teratomas were intimately involved with, and often required, partial resection of the major surrounding structures--aorta, chest wall, and esophagus. Preoperative evaluation of posterior mediastinal teratomas should include consideration of a barium swallow and/or aortography to rule out significant local involvement.