Primary epidermal inclusion cyst of the anterior mediastinum mimicking a thymic cyst: a rare diagnostic pitfall

Abstract Background Epidermal inclusion cysts (EICs) are common benign cutaneous lesions; however, their occurrence in the mediastinum is exceedingly rare. Case presentation We report a 29-year-old woman with a well-circumscribed mediastinal mass detected on imaging. The lesion was excised via video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. Gross examination revealed a 6 × 5 × 3 cm cystic mass filled with whitish keratinous material. Histopathologic analysis demonstrated a cyst lined by stratified squa...