Posterior Mediastinal Masses: General
Neurogenic tumors constitute between 20 to 40% of resected mediastinal neoplasms and the great majority are located in the posterior mediastinum. Neurogenic tumors are the most common cause of a posterior mediastinal mass [1]. Between 70-80% of the lesions are benign and approximately 50% of patients are asymptomatic. The vast majority of mediastinal neurogenic tumors are benign. Neurogenic tumors can be divided into 3 categories:1- Arising from peripheral nerves: Schwannoma, neurofibroma, and malignant tumors of nerve sheath origin
2- Arising from sympathetic ganglia: Ganglioneuroma, ganglioneuroblastoma, and neuroblastoma
3- Arising from paraganglia: Paraganglioma
- Lateral Thoracic Meningocele
- Other cause of posterior mediastinal masses include: Extramedullary hematopoiesis, Aortic aneurysm, Pancreatic pseudocyst, and Ectopic kidney
REFERENCES:
(1) Chest 1997; Strollo DC, et al. Primary mediastinal tumors. Part
II: Tumors of the middle and posterior mediastinum. 112: 1344-57
