Mediastinal Masses: Retrospective Single Center Based Study

Abstract

Background: Mediastinal masses include a wide variety of tumors; could be congenital or acquired, cystic or solid, primary or secondary. They may arise from anterior, middle or posterior mediastinum. Neurogenic tumors are commonest childhood lesions; whereas lymphomas and thymic lesions are commonest in adults. Methods: Retrospective analysis of all mediastinal masses presented to our unit from September 1st 2007 to July 1st 2015, all diagnostic modalities and and/or treatment by different surgical approaches are reviewed. Results: Eighty-five patients with mediastinal masses in different age groups and both genders were studied There were 46 males and 39 females. Fifty-nine patients had anterior mediastinal masses, 13 patients had mediastinal lymphadenopathy and 14 patients had posterior mediastinal masses. Lymphoma was the commonest pathology (32.94%) followed by thymic diseases (24.7%), germ cell tumors (11.76%) and neurogenic tumors (10.59%). From 17 patients in pediatric age group lymphoma was the commonest pathology (35.3%) followed by neurogenic tumors (29.4%). Conclusions: Mediastinal masses should be managed by a multidisciplinary team. Mediastinal Hydatid cyst in our locality is not uncommon disease. In mediastinal masses the role of surgery could be only diagnostic as in lymphoma cases thence we should be least invasive.