Objective: The aim of this study is to analyze the diagnostic procedures and the management of primary mediastinal tumors and
cysts.
Methods: Between 1998 and 2002, 31 patients with primary mediastinal masses were treated. There were 17 male and 14 female
patients. The ages of patients ranged from 3 months to 85 years. Presenting symptoms of the patients, diagnostic work-up and
surgical interventions were evaluated.
Results: The most common symptoms were dyspnea, chest pain and back pain. Two patients were asymptomatic (9.6%). Fifteen
of the tumors (48.3%) were located in the anterior mediastinum, 11 (35.4%) in the middle mediastinum and 5 of them (16.1%)
were in the posterior mediastinum. In 23 patients, complete resection was performed via median sternotomy, posterolateral
thoracotomy or collar incision. Two patients had an incomplete resection. Incisional biopsy was performed in 6 patients. There
was no operative mortality.
Conclusions: A large spectrum of tumors may develop in the mediastinum. Surgical interventions are usually needed for
establishing the diagnosis as well as treating primary mediastinal tumors and cysts.
Key Words: Mediastinum, Tumor, Cyst.
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