Primary mediastinal haemangiopericytoma--an unusual cause of massive haemoptysis in a young woman

Mesenchymal tumours of the mediastinum--part I

The mediastinum is an anatomically defined space in which organs and major blood vessels reside with surrounding soft tissue elements. The thymus is an important organ in the mediastinum, and many of the masses encountered in the mediastinum are related to this organ. Most neoplasms diagnosed in the mediastinum are epithelial tumours (thymomas and thymic carcinomas), lymphomas or germ cell tumours. In contrast, soft tissue tumours of the mediastinum are rare. In 1963, Pachter and Lattes systematically reviewed soft tissue pathology of the mediastinum, covering the hitherto described [2, 226, 227] In this review, based on the 2013 WHO classification of soft tissue tumours and the 2015 WHO classification of tumours of the lung, pleura, thymus and heart, we provide an updated overview of mesenchymal tumours that may be encountered in the mediastinum.

Bronchial artery embolization in life-threatening massive hemoptysis

Background

Massive hemoptysis is a potentially life threatening respiratory emergency and mandates immediate investigation and intervention. There is no universal consensus regarding the optimal management of these patients, and there are no large series of patients studied.

Objectives

Here we reported thirty Iranian patients who were managed with bronchial artery embolization.

Patients and Methods

All the patients had already been assessed by computerized tomography (CT) to localize and delineate the underlying etiology except 2 patients who had not undergone CT scan.

Results

Tuberculosis, bronchiectasis, and lung cancer/metastasis were the most common causes, detected in 14(47%), 5(17%) and 4(13%) patients respectively. Other causes of hemoptysis including chronic bronchitis, interlobar artery aneurysm, hydatid cyst, arteriovenous fistula, pulmonary embolism, and exposure to chemical weapons each detected in one patient separately. All of them had abnormal chest CT scans, except for 2 patients who had not undergone CT scan (one with hydatid cyst and another with bronchial tumor diagnosed with bronchoscopy). Bleeding location which has been confirmed with angiography could be predicted with CT scan among 7 of 14 patients with TB, (sensitivity=50%). While this rate was 100% among all other patients with other diagnosis who had undergone CT scan.

Conclusions

In conclusion complementary to the previous studies our results have demonstrated that bronchial artery embolization remains as one of the most efficient procedures in managing massive hemoptysis, with minimal rate of complications.

Primary classical hemangiopericytomas of thorax

BACKGROUND

Hemangiopericytoma, an uncommon hypervascular tumor, occurs anywhere in the body with capillary vessels originating from the pericyte. These tumors most frequently occur in the musculature of the lower extremities and retroperitoneum, but are rarely seen in the thoracic cavity. The objective of this study is to present primary classical hemangiopericytomas of the thorax together with a literature review.

METHODS

The postoperative pathologic records of 17,165 operations that were performed between January 1990 and December 2010 in the clinic were retrospectively searched, and the files of 6 cases with the diagnosis of primary classical hemangiopericytoma were analyzed for clinical characteristics of patients, surgical procedures, histopathologic features, treatments after surgery, and morbidity and mortality results.

RESULTS

There were 4 female and 2 male patients with an average age of 30.3 years (range, 15 to 60 years). Three patients had thoracic wall lesions, 2 patients had intrathoracic extrapulmonary lesions, and 1 patient had mediastinal lesion. Four left and two right posterolateral thoracotomies were performed. Chest wall resection was performed in 3 patients, intrathoracic extrapulmonary mass excision in 2 patients, and mediastinal mass excision and left lower lobectomy in 1 patient. Postoperative histopathologic diagnoses were primary classical hemangiopericytomas in 4 patients and primary classical malignant hemangiopericytomas in 2 patients. Four patients underwent reoperation for recurrence. In the follow-up period, 2 patients are still alive at 30 months and 14 years postoperatively; 3 patients died at 7, 8, and 16 years postoperatively. One patient was lost to follow-up. All 3 mortalities were related to the recurrence or distant metastasis of the tumor.

CONCLUSIONS

Although hemangiopericytomas are benign or malignant tumors, they generally display malignant behaviors. The risk of recurrence and distant metastasis occurs even many years after resection, suggesting that the prognosis becomes worse after each recurrence.

Primary glomangiosarcoma of the lung: A case report

Background

Glomus tumor is an uncommon neoplasm derived from cells of the neuromyoarterial glomus or glomus body. Most glomus tumours occur in the dermis and subcutaneous tissues. A case of a primary pulmonary glomus tumour originating in the right upper lobe is presented.

Case presentation

A 74-yr-old male was admitted with siccus cough, dyspnea and right-sided chest pain. Computed tomography of the thorax revealed a 4 cm growth of the right upper lobe. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy demonstrated an endobronchial hypervascular mass causing obstruction of the apical segmental bronchus. Pathology report was consistent with pulmonary glomus tumor. The patient underwent a typical right upper lobectomy with mediastinal lymph node dissection. Twelve months later he is free of disease.

Conclusion

Occasionally glomus tumors can occur in extracutaneous sites such as the gastrointestinal tract, bone, genitourinary system and respiratory tract. Primary pulmonary glomus tumors are very rare (our case is the 19^th one presented in the international literature) and are often confused with other solid neoplasms such as carcinoids, hemangiopericytomas and tumors belonging to the family of Ewing's sarcoma/primitive neuroectodermal tumours.