Preoperative embolization followed by surgical excision of a giant thymic carcinoid

Abstract

We report the case of a 35-year old woman with a giant thymic carcinoid of the left hemithorax. Enhanced computed tomography showed marked vascularization of the tumour, with an enlarged drainage vein. Endovascular embolization of the major feeding arteries of the tumour was performed preoperatively with good angiographic results. A left thoracotomy was performed the following day. Minimal bleeding was observed due to prior embolization. The patient made a rapid postoperative recovery and was discharged 8 days later. © The Author 2012. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.