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Posterior mediastinal ganglioneuroma

Case contributed by Paul Leong
Diagnosis certain

Patient Data

Age: 30 years
Gender: Female

On the frontal there is a left-sided retrocardiac/paravertebral opacity. There is associated minor scoliosis of the thoracic spine.

Conclusion - Left posterior mediastinal / paravertebral lesion. 

There is a left paravertebral mass lesion, extending from the T7 - T11 vertebral levels. The mass is soft tissue density, and also demonstrates small foci of calcification. There is some associated scalloping of the left side of the adjacent thoracic vertebral bodies, indicating a slow growing lesion. No bone erosion or destruction. There is no extension into the neural exit foramen, or widening of the intercostal spaces.

The appearance favors a neurogenic tumor, likely arising from the sympathetic trunk.

Left paravertebral lesion, heterogenous T2 high signal. No associated contrast enhancement. No evidence of extension into the spinal canal.

  • Note: This case has been tagged as "legacy" as it no longer meets image preparation and/or other case publication guidelines.

Case Discussion

Imaging appearances are suggestive of a neurogenic tumor, related to the sympathetic trunk.

VATS excision biopsy showed a ganglioneuroma. 

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