title: Novel thoracoscopic approach to difficult posterior mediastinal tumors.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: The George Washington University Medical Center, 2300 Eye Street NW, Washington, DC 20037, USA. faisal@gwu.edu
authors.forename: Faisal
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Al-Mufarrej
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Margolis
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tempesta
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Strother
authors.forename: Farid
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gharagozloo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008479:Mediastinal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D012371:Robotics / Q000295:instrumentation; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation; D013906:Thoracoscopy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome