Thoracoscopic removal of neurogenic mediastinal tumors: technical aspects

Background: Thoracoscopy is fast becoming the standard approach for the removal of neurogenic mediastinal tumors. However, there are risks for adjacent nervous structures (stellate ganglion, spinal cord). The aim of this study was to review the technical features of this approach.Methods: Between December 1999 and January 2003, nine patients underwent thoracoscopic resection of a mediastinal neurogenic tumor at our hospital. Five of these patients were asymptomatic with incidentally found tumor; the other four patients had compression-related syndromes. Two tumors had developed in the superior sulcus, and one had a spinal canal component (dumbell-type tumor).Results: Thoracoscopic dissection was possible in all cases. In one patient, resection of the tumor was performed via a combined neurosurgical and thoracoscopic approach. Seven tumors were benign nerve sheath tumors (schwannoma), and 2 were nerve cell tumors (ganglioneuroma). The postoperative course was uncomplicated in all patients.Conclusion: The thoracoscopic resection of mediastinal neurogenic tumors is technically easy, except for bulky tumors of the superior sulcus and dumbbell tumors, which require a combined thoracoscopic and neurosurgical approach.