We report a rare case of benign thoracic dumb-bell tumor in the upper posterior mediastinum, which was successfully removed by posterolateral thoracotomy and foraminotomy, using intraoperative monitoring of spinal motor-evoked potentials. This technique has many advantages including minimal morbidity and mortality, a single incision, one-step complete resection with adequate exposure, spinal stabilization, avoidance of laminectomy, nerve root identification, and good predicted postoperative function.
ShadmehrMBGaissertHAWainJC. The surgical approach to “dumbbell tumors” of the mediastinum. Ann Thorac Surg2003; 76: 1650–1654.
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SutterMEggspuehlerAGrobD. The validity of multimodal intraoperative monitoring (MIOM) in surgery of 109 spine and spinal cord tumors. Eur Spine J2007; 16(Suppl 2): S197–S208.
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PeelingLHentschelSFoxRHallHFourneyDR. Intraoperative spinal cord and nerve root monitoring: a survey of Canadian spine surgeons. Can J Chir2010; 53: 324–328.
