Abstract: Objective To discuss the security, effectiveness and risk factors of videoassisted thoracoscopic surgery for posterior mediastinal tumors. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the data of 59 patients including 36 men and 23 women who underwent thoracoscopic resection of posterior mediastinal tumors in People’s Hospital of Peking University from May 2001 to July 2009. Their age ranged from 6 to 73 years old with an average age of 40.6 years old. The average maximum diameter of the tumors was 4.86 cm. All procedures were performed under general anesthesia and tumors were cut out with three ports. The anterior port was extended to 6 to 10 cm when conversion to thoracotomy was needed. After mediastinal pleura were opened, the tumor was stripped out along the outside of peplos and the vascular pedicle nerves were managed respectively. Results All surgeries were carried out successfully. The surgical duration, perioperative blood loss, postoperative chest tube duration and postoperative stay in hospital were respectively 45-300 min(125.80±57.40 min), 10-1 000 ml(168.10±157.70 ml), 1-10 d(2.50±1.74 d), and 2-14 d(5.24±2.24 d). There were 6 cases of conversion to open thoracotomy with a conversion rate of 10.2%. Postoperative pathology showed that there were 46 cases of neurogenic tumors, 10 cases of cyst, 2 cases of teratoma, and 1 case of lipoma. Follow-up was done on 51 cases for a period of 7-108 months(55.0±24.0 months) and 8(13.6%) cases were missed out during the period. No recurrence or death occurred during the followup. Logistic multivariable analysis showed that maximum diameter of the tumor ≥6 cm was the independent risk factor for extending operative time (OR=1.932,P=0.004), increasing perioperative blood loss (OR=2.267,P=0.002), increasing conversion rate to thoracotomy (OR=3.123,P=0.004) and increasing postoperative complication rate (OR=1.778,P=0.013). Conclusion Videoassisted thoracoscopic surgery for posterior mediastinal tumor is safe and effective. Maximum diameter of the tumor ≥6 cm is an independent risk factor for increasing operation difficulty and risk.
ObjectiveTo report the effect and experience of the extended resection and reconstruction of superior vena cava(SVC) and innominate vein for invasive mediastinal tumors.MethodsA retrospective study of 11 patients who underwent extended resection and grafts of SVC and innominate vein for invasive mediastinal tumor in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from 2001 to 2003 was performed. Radical resection was performed in 9 cases, among which SVC and left innominate vein were reconstructed with pericardium patch in 2, with prostheses(ringed GoreTex) interposed in 7.The other 2 patients who had incomplete resection also underwent prostheses interposition for SVC reconstruction. During operation, SVC and left innominate vein were clamped in turn,to avoid total interruption of blood return, clamping time for each site was 22.15±6.29 min. The volume of blood loss was 1 342.86± 692.48ml during operation.ResultsThe tumor included 4 invasive thymoma, 5 thymic cancer, 2 primary mediastinal small cell carcinoma. The patency was good in the grafts with external ring support and no SVC symptoms were observed in all cases postoperatively. One patient died of respiratory infection two weeks after operation, others are alive till now. The longest patent and functional graft is 30 months postoperatively.ConclusionSVC and innominate vein reconstruction by prostheses interposition can effectively eradicate the SVC syndrome. Clamping SVC needs careful study. Attention to the invasive extention of tumor should be made to avoid palliative operation,because complete resection is most important for long term survival.
ObjectiveTo discuss multislice spiral CT (MSCT) features and pathologic basis of the cavernous hemangioma of mediastinum, and further improve the diagnostic accuracy with CT. MethodsWe collected 4 cases of cavernous hemangioma in mediastinum from November 2008 to November 2013. All patients underwent MSCT examination of plain scan and enhanced-contrast scan. The CT manifestations of cavernous hemangioma in mediastinum were observed. The correlation of the CT imaging findings with pathology features was analyzed retrospectively. ResultsTwo of the 4 lesions were located in the anterior mediastinum and the other 2 in the posterior mediastinum. On plain scan, 2 lesions showed homogeneous density, and 2 had heterogeneous density. Vessels could be observed in all lesions on enhanced-contrast CT imaging. ConclusionCavernous hemangioma in mediastinum is often located in the anterior and posterior mediastinum. Calcification and vessels in lesions are its imaging characteristics. Multislice spiral enhanced CT can accurately reflect the characteristics and pathological basis, providing more important information for diagnosis.