Robotic surgery for mediastinal tumors

BACKGROUND: The surgical approach to mediastinal tumors has changed during the last two decades. Median sternotomies and thoracotomies have been replaced in part by minimally invasive procedures. Aim of this review is to highlight applications of a robotic-assisted approach in mediastinal tumor surgery. METHODS: Review of the current literature. RESULTS: A robotic approach for thymectomy, anterior mediastinal mass resection, pericardial cyst resection, diagnostic sampling of enlarged lymph nodes in the middle mediastinum, resection of benign neurogenic tumors in the posterior mediastinum and esophageal procedures was shown to be feasible. Postoperative outcomes as well as the contraindications and limitations of a robotic approach are discussed. CONCLUSIONS: For appropriate indications minimal invasive surgery with a surgical robot can safely be performed for tumors in the anterior, middle, and posterior compartments of the mediastinum.     

Mediastinal masses in children

A variety of mediastinal masses may present in children. Imaging is generally confined to chest radiograph and CAT scan of the chest, although other studies may prove helpful depending upon the circumstances. MRI is particularly helpful for neurogenic tumors in the posterior mediastinum. The most common tumor in the anterior mediastinum is lymphoma with germ cell tumors second. In general, lymph nodes in areas outside the mediastinum provide access for tissue diagnosis when lymphoma is present. Germ cell tumors are generally benign, but surgical excision is indicated to rule out malignant elements and to treat symptoms which are often present through compression of nearby structures. Neurogenic tumors are the most common lesions in the posterior mediastinum.     

Laparoscopic excision of a lower posterior mediastinal paraspinal mass: technique and feasibility of the laparoscopic approach

Paravertebral and paraspinal tumors in the posterior mediastinum are predominantly neurogenic in origin. The treatment comprises surgical extirpation. We report a case of a 40-year-old man with a 2-month history of pain epigastrium, radiating to the left scapula, and marked (10 kg) weight loss. Preoperative CT scan showed a paraspinal mass 8 cm in diameter at the level of the tenth thoracic vertebra. A CT scan-guided fine-needle aspiration cytologic analysis revealed the mass to be of neurogenic origin. Transabdominal laparoscopic excision of this lower posterior mediastinal neurogenic tumor was attempted and accomplished safely. The approach was through the left crural fibers, which were split to access the lower posterior mediastinum. Operating time was 122 minutes. Postoperatively, a left intercostal drain was inserted. The patient was discharged on the third postoperative day, after intercostal drain removal. Lower posterior mediastinal paraspinal tumors can be resected laparoscopically with careful preoperative investigation for tumor localization and a meticulous laparoscopic technique. A major advantage of transabdominal laparoscopic resection, as compared with open or thoracoscopic (VATS) excision, is that the patient recovers rapidly with minimal operative and anesthetic morbidity.     

Thoracoscopic surgery combined with a supraclavicular approach for removing a cervico-mediastinal neurogenic tumor: a case report.

The neurogenic tumors in the posterior mediastinum sometimes extend into the vertebral canal, known as dumbbell tumors, but cases in which the neurogenic tumor extends to the cervical region are rare. A 19-year old female with a right-sided posterior mediastinal mass, without either Horner's syndrome or pain on the right upper extremity, was referred to our hospital. The chest computed tomography (CT) revealed a large posterior mediastinal mass, measuring 80x50x50 mm in size, which was suspected to be a neurogenic tumor, and the right vertebral artery (RVA) was involved in the tumor at the Th1 to C7 spinal level. Surgical removal of the tumor using video-assisted thoracoscopic procedures through a limited axillary route combined with a supraclavicular approach by a right semi-collar incision was successfully performed. The RVA had to be sacrificed in order to remove the tumor. She was discharged from the hospital on the 12(th) postoperative day. The combined approach using video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS), with a limited mini-transverse axillary and supraclavicular incision was useful for the removal of a cervico-mediastinal tumor.     

Thoracoscopy: the preferred approach for the resection of selected posterior mediastinal tumors

The posterior mediastinum is a common site for neurogenic tumors. These are mostly asymptomatic and detected incidentally during radiologic investigations. However, they occasionally present with compressive or neurologic symptoms. The tumors are mostly benign but can also be malignant. Left untreated, they continue to grow. Therefore, once detected, resection is always advised. Traditionally, resection has been performed by standard posterolateral thoracotomy. More recently, such tumors have been removed thoracoscopically. We report our experience with three such cases and present a comprehensive analysis of cases of thoracoscopic resection of posterior mediastinal neurogenic tumors reported in the English literature to suggest guidelines for their current management.     

外科治疗纵隔原发神经源性肿瘤的手术径路评价

目的　探讨外科治疗原发纵隔神经源性肿瘤的手术径路。方法　 1963年 3月至2 0 0 3年 9月外科治疗原发纵隔神经源性肿瘤 91例。所有病例均于术前行X线胸片检查 ,其中 65例行CT或磁共振检查。根据肿瘤的大小、部位及其是否向椎管内延伸选择不同的手术入路 ,其中胸后外侧切口 84例 ,半哈壳状切口 2例 ,高位胸后侧切口 4例 ,胸后外侧加脊柱旁切口 1例。所有病例均经病理证实并行 6个月～ 15年的术后随访。结果　本组手术切除率 97.8% ( 89/91) ,术后并发症发生率 4.4% ( 4 /91) ,无手术死亡病例。术后病理诊断良性肿瘤 79例 ( 86.8% ) ,恶性肿瘤12例 ( 13 .4% )。 1例神经纤维瘤 2年后复发经再次手术切除治愈 ;恶性肿瘤平均生存 3 8.1个月。结论　适当的手术径路是提高纵隔原发神经源性肿瘤切除率的关键。     

Intrathoracic phrenic nerve neurofibroma

The usual location of intrathoracic neurogenic tumors is the posterior mediastinum. Those in a mediastinal anterior or middle location arise from the intrathoracic phrenic nerve, which is extremely rare and causes a problem for etiologic diagnosis. We report what is, to our knowledge, the second case of a mediastinal neurofibroma originating from the phrenic nerve of a 59-year-old woman without von Recklinghausen disease. Diagnosis was suggested by the radiologic features and confirmed by histologic aspects after excision. The prognosis after complete resection is excellent.     

Peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor of the thymus

Peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumors (pPNET) are an extremely rare disease entity of malignant tumors belonging to the Ewing sarcoma family that usually occur in children and adolescents with a predilection for the truncal and axial soft tissue. Thoracopulmonary manifestation in children mostly involves the chest wall as a large tumorous mass or the posterior mediastinum. In adults these tumors are even more infrequent. We report about a 46-year-old woman with a pPNET of the thymus which infiltrated the pericardium. According to the English literature this is the first reported case both of a thymic pPNET and a pPNET arising in the anterior mediastinum. This illustrates that pPNETs belong to the differential diagnosis of neurogenic mediastinal malignancies not only in the pediatric age population but also in adults and even in so far unknown localizations like the anterior mediastinum.     

Inframanubrial Parathyroid Glands in Patients with Primary Hyperparathyroidism: Alternatives to Sternotomy

Deep inframanubrial parathyroid tumors have traditionally been excised through a median sternotomy. With the advent of minimally invasive surgical access, we chose to examine the treatment options and outcomes of patients with inframanubrial mediastinal parathyroid tumors. Patients with primary hyperparathyroidism seen at a university medical center over a 12-year period were retrospectively reviewed. The utility of localization studies, methods of treatment, complications, and outcomes were examined in patients with a parathyroid tumor located in the mediastinum inferior to the manubrium. Patients with parathyroid adenomas located at the thoracic inlet were excluded. Sixteen patients with inframanubrial mediastinal tumors were treated during the study period. Altogether, 81% of the patients had undergone at least one prior neck exploration for primary hyperparathyroidism. Preoperative calcium and parathyroid hormone levels were 12.4 ± 0.36 mg/dl and 273 ± 70 pg/ml, respectively. Localization studies identified mediastinal parathyroid adenomas in the following locations: anterior mediastinum (n = 8), middle mediastinum (n = 7), posterior mediastinum (n = 1). Mediastinal computed tomography and technetium-sestamibi scans demonstrated the best sensitivity, 92% and 85%, respectively. Seven patients underwent successful excision of the mediastinal adenoma by transcervical mediastinal exploration with the Cooper retractor. The other patients underwent angiographic ablation (n = 4), anterior mediastinotomy (n = 3), video-assisted thoracoscopy (VATS) (n = 1), and VATS plus thoracotomy (n = 1). The mean hospital stay for the study group was 2.9 ± 0.7 days. The complication rate was 25%. All patients were normocalcemic after a mean follow-up of 15 ± 7 months. Most inframanubrial mediastinal parathyroid tumors can be successfully managed without median sternotomy.     

Mediastinal neurogenic tumors and video-assisted thoracoscopy: always the right choice?

Neurogenic mediastinal tumors in adults are generally benign lesions and for this reason are ideal candidates for resection by video-assisted thoracoscopy (VAT). Usual contraindications to VAT are the dimension of the tumor (greater than 6 cm), its position (apex, posterior costodiaphragmatic angle), and/or the presence of intraspinal growth (the so-called "dumbbell tumors"). This study reviewed a single-institution 10-year experience approaching mediastinal neurogenic tumors routinely by VAT, even in cases of the above mentioned contraindications. From January 1992 to December 2002, 15 consecutive mediastinal neurogenic tumors were operated by VAT (11 females, mean age 43 years, range 16-67). Mean operating time was 99 minutes (range 60-180). No conversion thoracotomy was required. The 2 cases of "dumbbell tumor" in this series were treated by laminectomy followed by VAT. Two patients had a Claude-Bernard-Horner syndrome after removal of lesion at the level of T1-T2. Mean postoperative stay was 5.5 days. Histologic diagnosis was schwannoma in 12 cases (Antoni type A in 7 cases, type B in 4 cases, mixed type in 1 case) and neurofibroma in 3 cases. Results from this 10-year experience confirmed that VAT can be the standard approach for neurogenic tumors in adults without negative effect on radicality of resection and safety of the procedure.     

Intrathoracic neurogenic tumors--50 years' experience in a Japanese institution.

OBJECTIVE: Intrathoracic neurogenic tumors are relatively uncommon, and there have been few reports regarding their entire clinical characteristics in the Asian population. OBJECTIVES: We retrospectively reviewed our Japanese institutional experience of intrathoracic neurogenic tumors, with emphasis on the clinical spectrum. METHODS: We analyzed the records of 146 patients with intrathoracic neurogenic tumors who were treated over the past 50 years. There were 60 pediatric and 86 adult patients (74 males and 72 females). RESULTS: There were 51 ganglioneuromas, 37 schwannomas, 30 neurofibromas, 18 neuroblstomas, 5 gangliobastomas, and 5 others, of which 136 cases were located in the posterior mediastinum, 9 in the chest wall, and 1 in the lung parenchyma. Neurogenic tumors were most commonly seen as a pediatric mediastinal tumor (46.2%), as compared to 11.2% in the adult population (P<0.001). Eighty-four percent of adult patients and 60% of pediatric patients were asymptomatic. In thirteen patients (8.9%), the tumor showed an intraspinal extension, the so-called dumbbell-type. Overall, 20.5% of the neoplasms were malignant, occurring predominantly in the first 5 years of life. Complete resection was performed in 95.7% cases for benign tumors and 63.3% for malignant tumors, including a laminectomy for six cases of the dumbbell-type. There were no operative deaths and minimal morbidity. Conclusions: Age seemed to be the most important clinical parameter for distinguishing between histological type and rate of malignancy for neurogenic tumors. Recognition of this clinical spectrum will lead to the immediate and appropriate surgical intervention.     

A case of lung cancer with mediastinal tumor

A 72-year-old female underwent surgical resection of lung cancer and mediastinal tumor. Abnormal shadows on the chest roentgenogram were incidentally detected by the regular health screening. The lung cancer existed in the left upper lobe, and the mediastinal tumor existed in the posterior mediastinum along left side of the spines. Serum CEA level was 299 ng/ml by enzyme immunoassay method. We judged the lung cancer as being in Stage I (T2 N0 M0), and the mediastinal tumor as benign neurogenic tumor unrelated to the lung cancer through detailed examination. Surgical resection of both tumors was performed through left thoracotomy, and the surgical procedure was curative operation. Pathological examination revealed the lung cancer was moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma and the mediastinal tumor was Schwannoma. Eight months after surgery, serum CEA level is 1.1 ng/ml without evidence of recurrence. This experience suggested us that a mediastinal tumor accompanied by lung cancer is not necessarily metastatic tumor, and that curative operation may be possible in these cases.     

Mediastinal parathyroid tumors

Mediastinal parathyroid tumors are a frequent cause of failed parathyroid operations. I therefore reviewed my experience with 285 consecutive patients treated surgically for hyperparathyroidism from January 1981 to Dec 31, 1986. Two hundred eighty-eight operations were performed on these patients (246 primary, 38 secondary, one error in diagnosis, and 53 reoperations). Mediastinal parathyroid tumors were present in 64 (22%) of the entire group of 285 patients with hyperparathyroidism, and 20 (38%) of 53 patients requiring reoperation for persistent or recurrent hyperparathyroidism. Fifty-two parathyroid tumors were situated in the anterior mediastinum and 12 were found in the posterior mediastinum; 56 of the mediastinal tumors were removed via a cervical approach. In four patients the mediastinal tumor was a fifth histologically documented parathyroid gland. Mediastinal tumors were identified by preoperative localization studies (ultrasonography, three [16%]; thallium-technetium, five of 17 [29%]; computed tomography, eight of 14 [57%]; magnetic resonance imaging, three of seven [43%]; and selective venous catheterization for parathyroid hormone, ten of 11 [91%]). Awareness of the relatively high occurrence of mediastinal tumors (52 anterior, 12 posterior) should decrease the risk of failed parathyroid operations.     

Thoracoscopic resection as the preferred approach to posterior mediastinal neurogenic tumors

Traditionally, resection of posterior mediastinal neurogenic tumors (PMNTs) has been through a posterolateral thoracotomy. Although thoracoscopic resection of these tumors has been advocated, treatment guidelines have not been reported previously. The authors report a thoracoscopic resection of a PMNT and conducted a retrospective review of similar cases in the literature. Successful thoracoscopic resection was compared with tumor size and type using a nonpaired t test (alpha: P < 0.05). A total of 29 patients (13 men, 16 women), aged 26 to 68 years, who underwent a thoracoscopic resection of a PMNT were identified. Preoperative imaging included chest radiography and computed tomography in all patients and magnetic resonance imaging in 15 of 29 patients (52%). All tumors were located in the posterior mediastinum without preoperative evidence of invasion or malignancy. Conversion to an open procedure was necessitated in 12 of 29 (41%) patients ("minithoracotomy" in 11, posterolateral thoracotomy in 1). Tumor size necessitating conversion to an open procedure (mean = 4.79 cm) and tumor size amenable to thoracoscopy alone (mean = 3.84 cm) were not significantly different (P < 0.09). Pathology revealed 22 schwannomas (76%), 6 ganglioneuromas (21%), and 1 malignant schwannoma (3%) and was not associated with conversion to an open procedure (P < 0.99). Thoracoscopic resection of PMNTs can be performed successfully, regardless of tumor type or size; however, malignancy, local invasion, and tumors >5 cm may require an open procedure. Thoracoscopic resection can replace thoracotomy in the treatment of PMNTs.     

One-stage approach for retroperitoneal and mediastinal metastatic testicular tumor resection

Background. Eight percent of nonseminomatous germ cell tumors of the testis are associated with postchemotherapy residual masses in both the retroperitoneum and the posterior mediastinum. We describe a transabdominal transdiaphragmatic approach that allows simultaneous resection of these masses.

Methods. After standard retroperitoneal lymph node dissection through a midline laparotomy, an incision parallel to the right crus of the diaphragm was made and extended anteriorly through the muscular portion. Excellent exposure of the lower posterior mediastinum was obtained. Masses located higher than vertebra T8 were resected by extending this incision anteriorly and performing a partial sternal division. A complete median sternotomy can be done to allow subcarinal dissection, as well as pulmonary or anterior mediastinal mass resection.

Results. Between 1993 and 1999, 18 patients had simultaneous resection of retroperitoneal and posterior mediastinal masses with this approach. There were no perioperative deaths; 3 patients had minor postoperative complications. After a median follow-up of 3.2 years, the overall 5-year survival rate was 92%, and the 5-year disease-free survival rate was 87%.

Conclusions. The transdiaphragmatic approach to the posterior mediastinum is less aggressive than the thoracoabdominal approach. It is safe and effective for simultaneous resection of postchemotherapy testicular nonseminomatous germ cell tumors located in the retroperitoneum and posterior mediastinum.     

Dumbbell neurogenic tumor of the mediastinum: A report of three cases undergoing single-staged complete romoval without thoracotomy

Of a total thirteen patients who underwent surgery for a neurogenic tumor in the posterior mediastinum 4 (30.8 per cent) presented with dumbbell type development of the tumor. Along with a comparatively greater incidence in the number of cases of dumbbell neurogenic tumors in the posterior mediastinum, resection has also recently become more popular, necessitating the establishment of a standard operative approach for this type of tumor. We successfully removed dumbbell neurogenic tumor from the posterior mediastinum in our 3 most recent casesvia a dorsal approach by virtue of a laminectomy and resection of a small portion of the neighbouring rib root without opening the parietal pleura at all. These three aptients were a 14 year old female, a 54 year old male and a 68 year old female, respectively, and the largest diameter in cm and level of origin of the tumors were 5.5 at Th 1 in case 1, 3.0 at Th 2 in case 2 and 3.7 at Th 11 in case 3. The operative approach described herein was easy to perform, felt secure and was less invasive and better tolerated by the patients than the thoractomy approach. Avoiding a thoractomy in such cases has many advantages to enumerate, but does not seem to have been clearly aimed at by others to date. We therefore propose our technique as a standard approach for dumbbell neurogenic tumors in the posterior mediastinum.     

Surgical treatment of neurogenic tumors of the chest.

BACKGROUND: Neurogenic tumors are commonly found in the mediastinum, especially in the posterior mediastinum or in the chest wall, and have a variety of clinical and histological features. We reviewed our experience with these types of tumors and assessed diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A series of 60 consecutive patients with a neurogenic tumor of the chest, all seen at a single institute, was retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: The mean age of the 60 patients was 40 years, including 32 males and 28 females. Preoperative symptoms were present in seven patients (11.7%). Median tumor size was 5.3 cm, ranging from 1.4 to 20 cm. The major location of the tumor was the posterior mediastinum in 38 cases (63.3%) and the chest wall in 16 cases (26.7%). The operative procedure performed was tumor extirpation in 58 cases (96.7%), in which video-thoracoscopic procedure was performed in nine patients and chest wall resection in two cases. The major histological type was neurilemmoma in 51 patients (85%), and malignant tumor was only diagnosed in one patient with malignant schwannoma. Tumor related death occurred in only one case with malignant schwannoma. Ten patients with neurilemmoma were precisely diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging. CONCLUSION: Almost all cases of intrathoracic neurogenic tumors were benign in nature. Therefore, surgical indications may be carefully determined in cases with no symptom and with imaging that indicate benign neurilemmoma.     

Novel thoracoscopic approach to difficult posterior mediastinal tumors

Thoracoscopic resection is the preferred treatment of posterior mediastinal tumors. However, thoracotomy may be necessary if the tumors are large or adherent; if they are demonstrate invasion or intraspinal growth; or if they are located in the superoposterior mediastinum or posterior costodiaphragmatic angle. We describe a case of a large, adherent posterior costodiaphragmatic mediastinal mass that would have been otherwise difficult to resect thoracoscopically if it were not for the three-dimensional visualization, greater dexterity, and accurate dissection offered by the Da Vinci robot.     

微创手术治疗后纵隔良性神经源性肿瘤42例报告

目的探讨后纵隔神经源性肿瘤微创手术治疗的方法和价值。方法 1993年5月～2009年3月,经微创手术切除42例后纵隔良性神经源性肿瘤。胸腔镜切除29例,其中16例加小切口辅助;脊柱旁小切口胸膜外切除10例;哑铃形肿瘤3例,均后正中切口切除椎管内肿瘤,1例胸腔镜切除胸内肿瘤,2例脊柱旁小切口胸膜外切除。结果 42例均完整切除肿瘤,无中转开胸。无并发症。病理诊断神经鞘瘤27例,神经纤维瘤7例,神经节细胞瘤8例。34例随访6个月～14年,其中3年16例,3～5年13例,5年5例。无局部复发。结论微创手术切除后纵隔良性神经源性肿瘤安全、可靠、创伤小。胸腔镜手术为首选治疗方法。对有胸膜粘连或肿瘤长入椎间孔者,应选择脊柱旁小切口胸膜外切除方法 。     

Double simultaneous cysts of the mediastinum.

We describe a rare case of double mediastinal tumors in a 60-year-old male with spinocerebellar degeneration. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) accidentally revealed double cystic tumors in the anterior and posterior mediastinum. Surgical management by video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) was successfully performed. The histological diagnoses were confirmed as a thymic cyst in the anterior and a thoracic duct cyst in the posterior mediastinum, respectively.