[Cystic mediastinal schwannoma appended to the vagus nerve].

INTRODUCTION

Schwannomas are a form of rare tumor, arising from neural tissue and representing 2 % of mediastinal tumors. They are usually located in the posterior mediastinum, most often in the paravertebral gutters and typically appended to intercostal nerves.

CASE REPORTS: We report two cases of unusual mediastinal schwannomas, appended to the vagus nerve. The schwannoma was located in the subcarinal region in the first case and in the right para-tracheal region in the second case. The lesions were thought to be bronchogenic cysts preoperatively in both cases because of a cystic appearance on preoperative CT scan and endobronchial ultrasonography. A surgical approach was adopted to remove the tumors. Video-assisted thoracoscopy was used in one case and robotic-assisted surgery in the second case, without any complication, allowing for complete resection and to establish a certain pathological diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

Despite this location and cystic presentation being unusual, schwannoma should be considered as a possible cause of cystic lesions in the mediastinum. Minimally invasive surgery allows for complete resection and definitive pathological diagnosis.