title: Giant intrathoracic left-sided vagal schwannoma.
abstract: Extensive intrathoracic tumors are rarely diagnosed radiologically without pre-existing symptoms. If located in the posterior mediastinum, it is most probably a neurogenic tumor. Schwannoma is the most frequent neurogenic neoplasia in this location, and most schwannomas are benign. To specify the diagnosis, a thoracic computed tomography must be done; if the growth is close to the medullary canal, a magnetic resonance tomography of the spinal column is necessary to detect neuroforamen infiltration. Our surgical goal was complete excision of the tumor, although many authors favor a minimally invasive approach. In our patient we performed open, en bloc removal of the tumor; removal of parts of the intraforamen was also necessary, which necessitated revision of the affected neuroforamen. Histologically this was a very rare case of vagal schwannoma (which has an incidence of less than 6% of all neurogenic tumors). This patient has a very promising prognosis following complete tumor resection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University Hospital, Marburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kirschbaum
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Marburg University Hospital, Marburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Rainer
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ritz
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Marburg University Hospital, Marburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Anika
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pehl
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Marburg University Hospital, Marburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Detlef
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bartsch
keywords: benign or congenital lesions; chest wall; lung; mediastinal tumor