Schwannoma originating from the superior mediastinal phrenic nerve: a case report

Abstract

A 54-year-old female was referred to our hospital due to an abnormal chest CT shadow. Her chest CT showed a 4 cm diameter mass in the anterior mediastinum. Preoperative diagnosis was a benign mediastinal tumor (neurogenic suspected). Surgery confirmed that the tumor originated from the right phrenic nerve. The tumor was removed without resecting the phrenic nerve. Histopathological findings showed a schwannoma originating from the right phrenic nerve. Postoperatively, the right diaphragm was not elevated. Such tumors are rare, and only 19 cases have been reported in Japan.