Benign Glomus Tumor of the Superior PosteriorMediastinum

Overview

An unusual location of a benign glomus tumour, outside of the constantly located regions, e.g. inthe subungual location or deeply sited in extremities, was diagnosed in a 56-year-old white femalein her posterior upper mediastinum. The single similar case report was published before the eraof electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry and single cases of atypical and malignantforms in this unusual location were published only recently. The tumour measuring 5 x 4 x 2centimeters has caused cough and was associated with occasional righ-sided chest pain. Its richvascular supply has caused intensive intraoperative bleeding. The postoperative course was une-ventful and the patient is free of neoplastic disease or symptoms six years after surgery. Nume-rous mast cells present within the tumour’s interstices must be considered in relation to thepossible pathogenesis of the up to now unexplained pain in glomus tumours.

Key words:
Benign glomus tumour - Upper mediastinum - Immunohistochemistry - Electron mic-roscopy