Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2007; 55(4): 267-270
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-924701
Short Communications

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Secondary Endovascular Repair of a Reconstructed Superior Vena Cava in a Patient with a Malignant Thymic Epithelial Neoplasm

N. Charokopos1 , P. Antonitsis1 , M. Klimatsidas1 , C. Giavroglou2 , A. Hatzibaloglou1 , C. Papakonstantinou1
  • 1First Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, AHEPA Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 54636, Greece
  • 2Department of Radiology, AHEPA Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 54636, Greece
Further Information

Publication History

Received July 21, 2006

Publication Date:
04 June 2007 (online)

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Introduction

Thymic neoplasms account for approximately 50 % of anterior mediastinal masses. The vast majority of thymomas are cytologically bland neoplasms that exhibit an indolent clinical course [[1]]. Aggressive tumors can cause venous obstruction from extrinsic compression or direct invasion of the superior vena cava (SVC) or the innominate veins (IV s), exhibiting a malignant behavior associated with a poor prognosis. Complete resection of even an extensively invasive tumor remains the cornerstone of therapy and is the most critical factor in determining long-term survival [[2]].

We present a case of a young patient with a malignant thymoma that was treated with tumor resection together with SVC reconstruction. A secondary endovascular procedure was required due to early thrombosis of the reconstructed SVC.

References

MD, PhD Nicholas Charokopos

Cardiothoracic Surgeon

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