[Neurenteric cyst of the mediastinum--case report and review of the literature].

A case of an infant with a mediastinal neurenteric cyst is used to review this rare entity. By definition a neurenteric cyst is the combination of an entodermal cyst with a vertebral dysplasia. Neurenteric cysts are located in the posterior mediastinum, preferentially on the right side. In a third of the patients these cysts are associated with malformations of CNS a./o. GI tract. They occur predominantly in males. The symptoms of a mediastinal mass usually become obvious during the first months of life. The therapy of choice is complete resection.