Challenging posterior mediastinal mass resection via a minimally invasive approach with neurological monitoring

Abstract

We report a novel surgical strategy for the resection of a rare type of posterior mediastinal tumour in a young patient. A melanotic schwannoma arose from the left thoracic sympathetic chain, adjacent to the origin of the artery of Adamkiewicz. Successful excision of this tumour via a minimally invasive approach without arterial or spinal cord injury was possible with the aid of neurological monitoring using spinal-evoked potentials. © The Author 2012. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.