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Schwannomas are classified as neurogenic tumors and are the most frequent nerve sheath tumors in the paravertebral mediastinum. Recently, the addition of endobronchial ultrasound‐guided intranodal forceps biopsy (EBUS‐IFB) using standard‐sized biopsy forceps (SBFs) to endobronchial ultrasound‐guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS‐TBNA) for metastatic lymph nodes in lung cancer patients reportedly improved the quality and quantity of the obtained specimens without significant complications. However, reports on the usefulness of this technique for benign diseases remain scarce. Here we report a case of schwannoma in the middle mediastinum, which was diagnosed by EBUS‐IFB using SBFs, despite inadequate specimens obtained via EBUS‐TBNA. An 80‐year‐old woman presented with dyspnea and a 5‐cm sized middle mediastinal tumor. EBUS‐TBNA and EBUS‐IFB using SBFs were performed for histological diagnosis. No complications were associated with the bronchoscopy procedure, and schwannoma was solely diagnosed using the EBUS‐IFB specimens. EBUS‐IFB using SBFs is potentially useful for diagnosing benign diseases, including schwannomas, which are often difficult to diagnose with EBUS‐TBNA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phrenic nerve schwannomas of the head and neck are exceedingly rare pathologies that can present as an asymptomatic neck mass. Surgery is the definitive treatment, and a conservative surgical approach is preferred if a benign pathology is suspected. We present a rare case of a phrenic nerve schwannoma successfully treated with enucleation and preservation of the phrenic nerve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To explore the outcomes of surgical treatment of sacral neurogenic tumors Methods Between 1 January 2003 and 31 December 2012, data on 64 patients with sacral neurogenic tumors treated with surgery were retrospectively analyzed. The mean age of the 64 cases (35 males and 29 females) was 37.2 years (range, 21-69 years); 38 had neurilemmomas and 26 neurofibromas. Thirty-four of the tumors involved S1 and S2, 11 S3 or lower, and 19 were single presacral soft tissue masses. Tumors were removed via anterior, posterior or combined anteroposterior approaches. Patients with unstable sacroiliac joints underwent iliolumbar fixation. Results Depending on the extent of tumor involvement, one of three surgical approaches was used: a single anterior approach (19 patients), single posterior approach (25 patients), or a combined anteroposterior approach (20 patients). The mean operation time was 3 h (range, 2-6 h) and the mean blood loss 878 mL (range, 400-3120 mL). The mean duration of follow-up was 58.2 months (range, 24-93 months). These surgeries had the following complications. Three patients had massive intraoperative hemorrhage and posterior back pain and discomfort postoperatively. One patient had intraoperative ureteral injuries requiring intraoperative ureteral catheterization. In two patients, the tumor involved the S1 nerve roots bilaterally, necessitating their removal, which resulted in obvious lower limb motion and sphincteric dysfunction. In 13 patients with unilateral tumor involvement of the nerve roots of S1 and lower spinal levels, only the contralateral nerve roots of the S1 and lower levels were preserved; eight of these patients had impaired bladder and bowel function. Posterior incisions failed to heal in 10 patients, secondary wound healing occurred in nine of them and one required a gluteus maximus myocutaneous flap. Three patients developed postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leaks that were and alleviated by waist belt compression bandaging and placing them in the Trendelenburg position. Eight patients developed tumor recurrences postoperatively; pathological examination of the tissue excised in the second surgeries revealed malignant changes in the three patients with neurilemmomas. There were no intraoperative deaths. Rod fractures occurred in three of the 18 patients requiring iliolumbar reconstruction. Conclusions The clinical characteristics of sacral neurogenic tumors make them easy to diagnose. The approach to resection should be determined by the location and size of the tumor. Patients with huge tumors may lose considerable blood intraoperatively and a have higher risk rate of postoperative complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neurocristic tumors are rare growths with a predilection for the scalp region. These lesions have a highly variable appearance and an unpredictable course. Long-term surveillance is recommended due to their potential for recurrence and possible malignant transformation into melanoma. The following is a report on congenital neurocristic tumor of the scalp and neck region. Laryngoscope, 2013 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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