2002 Volume 16 Issue 4 Pages 585-588
We report a case of aberrant mediastinal goiter (AMG) that was resected in VATS. A 31-year-old woman presenting with abnormal chest shadow was admitted. Chest CT revealed a right upper mediastinal mass, that measured 48mm×40mm. The mass exhibited a clear margin and nonhomogeneous density. MRI demonstrated no communication between the mass and the thyroid gland; moreover, there were no major feeding arteries or veins detected. Thyroidal scintigraphy and thyroid function test showed a normal pattern. The mass was resected in VATS and diagnosed as adenomatous goiter on the basis of histological findings. AMG is a rare mediastinal tumor. Documentation indicates that AMG is characterized by a copious blood supply. However, mediastinal mass resection by VATS was performed uneventfully as a result of preoperative examination of the feeding vasculature. The relation of the main vasculature was examined by enhanced CT and MRI prior to surgery. We submit that VATS is beneficial in cases of mediastinal tumor.