Mediastinal Hemangiomas

Abstract

Hemangiomas of the mediastinum are rare tumors. Fewer than 100 have been reported. This study reviews the cases of 15 patients with mediastinal hemangiomas confirmed pathologically. We analyzed and evaluated the presentation, evaluation, and treatment. Follow-up is available for 14 of the 15 patients and ranges from 15 months to 15 years. Eight of the 15 patients were seen with signs and symptoms related to the tumor. This presentation correlated with invasion of contiguous mediastinal structures by the tumor. Six patients underwent total excision and 6, subtotal excision. During follow-up, residual tumor did not spread, become symptomatic, or show evidence of malignant degeneration. Based on this analysis, we believe that in patients in whom total excision of this tumor can be accomplished only by hazardous resection, a subtotal resection should be performed.

Giant Cavernous Haemangioma of the Anterior Mediastinum

“…The only symptom in our case was the back pain for the last three weeks. Most tumours are encapsulated like in our case and 75% of the cases are diagnosed before the age of 35 [1]. Our patient was 56-years-old which might explain the large size of the tumour.…”

“…To the best of our knowledge, this size of a mediastinal haemangioma has not been previously published in the literature. The most common symptoms are chest pain and dyspnoea and are generally caused by the pressure of the mass to the surrounding organs [1,3,4]. The only symptom in our case was the back pain for the last three weeks.…”

“…Cavernous haemangioma of the anterior mediastinum is very rare with an incidence of less than 0.5% of all mediastinal masses [1]. Yamazaki et al [2] reported that there were only 51 cases of mediastinal haemangioma reported in Japan in the last 50 years.…”

“…Cavernous haemangioma is very rare benign tumour, presenting only in the 0.5% of all mediastinal masses [1]. It is generally located in the anterior mediastinum, and 75% of the cases are diagnosed before the age of 35.…”

Preferred Surgical Approach for Dumbbell-shaped Tumors in the Posterior Mediastinum

“…Furthermore, there are some limited occasions when the tumor can be resected safely via a thoracotomy without the need for a laminectomy. 1) Mediastinal hemangiomas are extremely uncommon; they account for no more than 0.5% of all mediastinal tumors, 3) and are very rarely found in the posterior mediastinum. 4) Rather, tumors of the posterior mediastinum tend to be neurogenic, 5) as are most dumbbell-shaped mediastinal tumors.…”