A case report of dumbbell neurogenic tumor of the superior mediastinum

A 15-year-old female was admitted because of the superior mediastinum mass on chest X-rays and sensory loss of ulnar side of the left arm. Computed tomographic scanning and magnetic resonance imaging revealed that the tumor was dumbbell-shaped and invaded the vertebral canal through the intervertebral foramen between C 7 and Th 1. At first laminectomy of vertebrae (C 6-Th 1) was made in a prone position and intra-spinal portion of the tumor was resected. Then the patient was placed in a supine position and the chest was opened by left hemicollar incision and sternotomy to the 2nd intercostal space. The tumor was divided into two parts at the level of 1st rib and completely removed. The pathological diagnosis was schwannoma. This procedure is safe and useful for dumbbell type tumor located in superior mediastinum, especially in case of large tumor from neck to the thoracic cavity.