Posterior Mediastinal Angioleiomyoma

Abstract

We describe a case of mediastinal angioleiomyoma in an asymptomatic 72-year-old man, who was admitted to our hospital for a mediastinal tumor discovered during an annual medical examination. The tumor was evaluated by computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Unenhanced CT scans demonstrated a tumor that was adjacent to the descending aorta. The tumor was partially enhanced in the early phase of contrast-enhanced CT, and in the late phase there was additional tumor enhancement. With MRI, the tumor displayed a homogeneous low signal intensity on the T1-weighted image and a homogeneous very high signal intensity on the T2-weighted image. Contrast-enhanced MRI demonstrated the same enhancement pattern as CT. The examination results led to a preoperative diagnosis of posterior mediastinal hemangioma, and the patient underwent surgery. The tumor originated from the supreme intercostal vein, and was diagnosed as an angioleiomyoma by histopathologic examination. Because mediastinal angioleiomyomas are very rare, they are difficult to diagnose preoperatively. However, we believe that CT and MRI can be of significant help in the differential diagnosis.

Mesenchymal tumours of the mediastinum—part II

“…Angioleiomyoma, which is included in the pericytic group of tumours in the current WHO classification, is considered a benign proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells and has on rare occasion been reported in the mediastinum [ 85 , 123 , 161 , 209 , 225 ]. The reported tumours were (with one exception) small and were either discovered incidentally or caused symptoms by compression of nerves in the posterior mediastinum.…”

Symptomatic Posterior Mediastinal Angioleiomyoma

“…Angioleiomyomas developing in organs other than the skin including the liver and kidney have been reported but they are rare 2,3. Mediastinal angioleiomyoma is very rare, and only 3 cases have been reported to the best of our knowledge 4-6. Unlike with peripheral angioleiomyoma, 2 mediastinal angioleiomyomas were found in males and 2 in females including the present case 4-6…”

Thoracoscopic resection of a cavernous haemangioma of anterior mediastinum: case report and literature review

“…The total number and incidence of mediastinal haemangiomas remain rare compared with other types of mediastinal tumours. Mediastinal haemangiomas are mostly benign and are mainly classified as cavernous or capillary haemangiomas, followed by rarer benign types, including fibroangioma, angiolipoma, fibroangiolipoma, angiolymphangioma, venous haemangioma, arteriovenous fistula and angioleiomyoma ( 3 , 4 ).…”