Trends, Symptoms, and Outcomes of Resectable Giant Mediastinal Tumors

Preoperative Embolization in the Management of Giant Thoracic Tumors: A Case Series

Objectives: The aim of this paper is to describe our experience in the embolization of hypervascular giant thoracic tumors before surgical excision. Methods: A single-center retrospective review of five trans-arterial preoperative embolization procedures executed between October 2020 and July 2024. Patients' demographics, anatomical aspects, feasibility, technique, and outcomes were reviewed. Results: In all cases, accurate targeting and safe embolization was achieved, with satisfactory devascularization evaluated with post-procedural angiography and with minimal blood loss during subsequent surgical operation. Conclusions: In our experience, preoperative embolization of giant thoracic masses has been technically feasible, safe, and effective in reducing tumor vascularization, thus facilitating surgical treatment. This approach should be evaluated as an option, especially in patients with hypervascular thoracic tumors.

The significance of a 'T shaped' incision for resection of giant mediastinal tumors: a case report

A 37-year-old male, with a 5-year history of liposarcoma of the right thigh, was incidentally diagnosed with two huge thoracic metastases following a fall. One of these masses, measuring 22 cm, was located in the right chest apex, adjacent to a second 20 cm mass situated in the anterior mediastinum, partially invading the left chest. The patient underwent surgical intervention for mass resection that commenced with a hemi-clamshell incision, but was then extended by completing the lower median sternotomy in order to create a T shaped incision. This type of incision provides ample access for large mediastinal tumors that extensively extend into one side of the thoracic cavity, encompass the anterior mediastinum, and partially reach into the opposite cavity. It enhances visualization, facilitates access to vital organs, allows for precise surgical maneuvers, minimizes the risk of inadvertent tissue damage, and enables thorough oncological resection.

Massive anterior mediastinal lipoma causing cardiac arrest in a middle-aged male: a case report and literature review

Lipoma is a common benign soft tissue tumor, but its size and location can lead to serious issues. We report a case of a 48 year-old male patient who experienced sudden cardiac arrest outside the hospital. After resuscitation and examination, we determined that this was due to a massive mediastinal lipoma compressing the lungs, leading to respiratory failure and pulmonary encephalopathy, ultimately resulting in cardiac arrest. This case serves as a reminder to promptly identify and manage chest lipomas to avoid compression and functional impairment of the respiratory system. Early evaluation and treatment of massive lipomas are crucial for preventing complications.

Application of computer-assisted surgery in pediatric mediastinal tumor surgery

BACKGROUND

Computer-assisted Surgery system (CAS) is an effective medical imaging simulation tool, which is widely used in preoperative planning of surgery. The objective of this study is to investigate the clinical application of CAS in pediatric mediastinal tumor resection.

METHODS

This retrospective study investigated 74 children who underwent mediastinal tumor resection between June 2008 and June 2022 at the pediatric surgical center of the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University and Qingdao Women and Children's Hospital. Preoperative chest computed tomography imaging was performed on all children. A total of 44 children (the CAS-assisted group) underwent clinical image 3D reconstruction and preoperative simulation using Hisense CAS. The control group consisted of 30 children who underwent a conventional procedure without CAS. The demographic, preoperative, and complication data were analyzed and compared between the two groups. t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, X² test, or Fisher's exact test were used accordingly in this study during analysis.

RESULTS

The median operative duration was 119.00 min in the CAS-assisted group and 140.50 min in the control group. The median intraoperative blood loss of the CAS-assisted group and the control group was 14.00 and 31.00 ml respectively. Relative to the control groups, the CAS-assisted group experienced shorter operative duration time (p = 0.041), and less intraoperative blood loss (p < 0.001). The difference in postoperative drain indwelling between the CAS-assisted group (median:4.00 days) and the control group (median:7.00 days) reached a statistical significance (p = 0.001). And the duration of hospitalization after the operation for the CAS-assisted group (median:7.00 days) was shorter than that for the control group (median:9.00 days) (p = 0.001). No significant difference could be found in the rate of blood transfusion (p = 0.258) and the incidence of postoperative complications (p = 0.719) between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

Hisense CAS could effectively assist surgeons to clearly determine the anatomical site of tumors and provide accurate preoperative simulation for surgeons, so as to assist surgeons to specify effective surgical plans for patients.