Mediastinal cavernous hemangioma ; a case report

Abstract

The patient was a 17 year-old male. A mediastinal tumor had been detected by CT scan at age 13, but surgical resection was refused by his parents. On admission his chest X-ray and CT scan revealed that the tumor had increased in size. The tumor was composed of cystic and solid components and displayed low enhancement in the CT scan. Venography showed displacement of the SVC and left brachiocephalic vein, but their patency was good. CT scan and venography showed marked deformity of the SVC. During surgery through a median sternotomy tight adhesions were found between the tumor and the SVC. First the left brachiocephalic vein was divided and replaced with an EPTFE graft (12 mm in diameter) to the right atrium. After clamping of the SVC, the involved area was resected completely. The tumor, 7 × 10 × 4 cm in size, was a cavernous hemangioma histologically. When the structure of the mediastinum and the growth potential of this tumor are taken into consideration, we think that complete resection should be performed if possible.