A CASE REPORT OF GIANT MALIGNANT SCHWANNOMA GROWING OUT OF THE RIGHT LATERAL CHEST WALL TO INTRATHORATIC SPACE WHICH CAUSED DYSPNEA

Abstract

A case of giant malignant schwannoma growing out of chest wall to intrathoracic space which was associated with von Recklinghausen disease and caused dyspnea is presented here. An 8-year-old male visited another hospital because of fever and cough, and a chest tumor extending from the right lateral chest wall to intrathoracic space was suspected. The patient was admitted to the hospital for operation, because he developed stridor and dyspnea due to a rapid growth of the tumor. In the right lateral chest, an elastic hard subcutaneous tumor (13.5×5cm) was noted. On chest X-ray and CT, right intrathoracic space was occupied by the tumor and the mediastinum was shifted to the left. Incision biopsy revealed a malignant shwanoma. The operation was performed by posterolateral approach. The tumor was subtotally resected in combination with the 4th and 5th rib. Reexpansion pulmonary edema occurred postoperatively, but was improved by artificial respiration and the dyspnea disappeared. Eight months later, however, he died of the regrowth of the tumor in spite of chemotherapy, second resection and radiation.