• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.104-112
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• 2005

Because of location, a mediastinal mass may cause complications such as a major airway obstruction, a superior vena caval obstruction, and cardiac compression during general anesthesia. The patient's condition need to be assessed by several methods to predict the risks associated with general anesthesia. The authors took computed tomographs for a preoperative evaluation of two patients with an anterior mediastinal mass, and the risk of perioperative complications was predicted by measuring the tracheal area. The patients were managed according to the preoperative evaluation but severe ventilation impairments were encountered during anesthesia. In one patient, stable ventilation could not be maintained until spontaneous breathing appeared. The operation was cancelled and the patient was brought into the ICU. In the other patient, a tracheal tube was inserted deeper in an attempt to pass the narrowed tracheal portion due to mediastinal tumor compression resulting in improved ventilation.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.27 no.11
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• pp.938-941
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• 1994

Neurogenic tumors of the mediastinum may have an intraspinal component connected by a narrowed segment of tumor in the intervertebral foramen, then have symptoms of back pain,lower extremity tingling sensation. CT scan or MRI demonstrated a Dumbbell-shaped mass density compressing spinal canal, enlargement of the foramen, erosion of bone, and intervertebral widening. We report the analysis of the 18 cases of neurogenic tumors on posterior mediastinum and Dumbbell type tumors are 3 cases among the 18 cases. The neurilemmomas were 12 cases[67%], the ganglioneuroma were 5 cases[28%], and neuroblastoma was one case[5%]. The successful removal was done in all cases, a standard thoracotomy and laminectomy was done in Dumbbell type tumors.There was no postoperative neurological complications.