A grand mimicker of pulmonary malignancy: The massive mediastinal intercostal nerve tumour

TL;DR

This paper presents a rare case of a benign tumor mimicking lung cancer, highlighting the challenges in diagnosing and managing such rare conditions.

Contribution

The paper adds a unique case of an intercostal nerve sheath tumor with schwannoma pathology to the limited existing literature.

Findings

The tumor presented as a massive mediastinal mass, causing symptoms and requiring investigation.

The case emphasizes the lack of specific guidelines for evaluating such rare neurogenic tumors.

Surgical resection was the treatment modality used, confirming the benign nature of the tumor.

Abstract

Mediastinal mass‐like manifestations often cause alarm and instigate a myriad of investigative testing to rule out insidious malignant processes. However, a unique and benign finding, the schwannoma can present either incidentally or while in pursuit of a symptomatic presentation. Given its rarity, limited literature exists on these neurogenic tumours with less than three dozen reported cases. No specific guidelines exist regarding the extent of required advanced imaging or degree of invasive evaluation. Therefore, practitioners confronted with these intrathoracic tumours may find management challenging or delayed. We present a case discussing a large benign tumour causing symptomatic burden, the investigative methods implored and treatment modality. We add to the literature another unique presentation of an intercostal nerve sheath tumour with schwannoma pathology.

We present a case discussing a large benign tumour causing symptomatic burden, the investigative methods implored and treatment modality. We add to the literature another unique presentation of an intercostal nerve sheath tumour with schwannoma pathology.

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