title: Clamshell thoracotomy: a unique approach to a massive intrathoracic schwannoma.
abstract: Schwannomas (neurilemmomas) are benign tumors arising from the Schwann cells of the neural sheath. They are typically well-encapsulated lesions and in the chest they are most commonly seen within the posterior mediastinum, often originating along the intercostal nerves. Several operative approaches have previously been described for the resection of these tumors, including thoracoscopic techniques and posterolateral thoracotomy. We report a case of a massive schwannoma (27 cm, maximum diameter), unresectable by described approaches, which was successfully excised using a clamshell thoracotomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA. dodell@bidmc.harvard.edu
authors.forename: David D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Odell
authors.forename: Ryan A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Macke
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: O'Shea
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009442:Neurilemmoma / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013899:Thoracic Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013908:Thoracotomy / Q000379:methods*