Mediastinal ganglioneuroma

The mediastinal ganglioneuroma is a benign tumor with origins in the central or peripheral nervous system, affecting the sympathetic ganglions. It`s most frequent location is on the vertbral spine or intercostal spaces. The tumor develops on congenital nervous system diseases.


Ganglioneuroblastoma is a malignant variation of the ganglioneuroma. It is characterised by pronounced celular proliferation.


This case presents a 5 year old patient accusing mild dyspnea and thoracic pain that doesn`t respond to analgesics. Investigations reveal a posterior mediastinum tumoral growth.

CT result shows a discretly heretohenous, well defined tumoral formation, presenting mixt densities, having 42/48/95mm in size with a start point in the posterior mediastinum. Signs of external compession are present but without structural invasion.


Surgical procedure consists of left posterolateral thoracotomy followed by the total excision of the tumor.

Histopathological result shows an encapsulated benign tumor composed of adult neurovegetative cells.

Surgical outcome was satisfiing, with improvement in the pacient`s status.