Successful thoracoscopic resection of a large mediastinal liposarcoma

Abstract

We report a case of a rare, large mediastinal liposarcoma diagnosed in a 74-year-old woman after a syncopal episode. Chest roentgenogram and computed tomographic scan showed a large mass occupying most of the right chest and abutting the great vessels and pericardium. A thoracoscopic approach was used for exploration and surgical excision of this large mediastinal mass. Despite the large size of the mass, the thoracoscopic approach offered excellent visualization of all the mass attachments and required only a small extension of the access incision for tumor removal. The mass was a well-differentiated liposarcoma, which was completely resected with clear margins. The patient remains disease-free almost 3 years after the resection.