An 11-cm, Posterior Mediastinal Ganglioneuroma in a 5-year-old Girl

Abstract

A mediastinal ganglioneuroma is a ganglion-derived, benign tumor that usually occurs in children and young abults aged ≤20 years and is often asymptomatic when discovered. The case of a preschool child with a symptomatic, massive, posterior mediastinal ganglioneuroma is presented. A 5-year-old girl was brought to a local clinic with coughing and fever. Imaging showed a 10-cm, clearly defined tumor in the right posterior mediastinum. Computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and positron emission tomography findings were suggestive of a benign neurogenic tumor, and the symptoms were considered to be due to compression by the tumor. Thoracoscopic-assisted total resection was conducted, and ganglioneuroma was diagnosed. Three years later, there has been no sign of recurrence. Although symptomatic mediastinal ganglioneuroma discovered in young childhood is a comparatively rare disease, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis.