Healing of superior vena cava defect in mediastinal seminoma with invasion

Seminoma with bronchial involvement and superior vena cava syndrome: a rare combination

We describe the case of a 45-year-old male who was admitted with clinical signs of superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS). Physical examination showed collar of Stokes and extensive collateral circulation in the neck and anterosuperior thoracic region, as well as a large testicular mass. Fibrobronchoscopy revealed an endobronchial tumour, histopathologically diagnosed as seminoma, with the same characteristics as the testicular biopsy. Treatment was initiated with surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, resulting in a major clinical improvement. We indicate the importance of considering SVCS as an entity related with less common neoplasms such as germ cell tumours.

Life-threatening airway obstruction caused by mediastinal germinoma in a 9-year-old girl

The authors report a case of a 9-year-old girl with a mediastinal germinoma that required emergent surgical extirpation because of tracheal compression and asphyxia. The tumor was successfully debulked under general anesthesia with the capability of extracorporeal circulation immediately available. Postoperatively, the tumor responded to adjuvant chemotherapy and irradiation and the patient survived without evidence of recurrence.

[Cardiac changes in mediastinal seminoma]

Primary pure cell seminoma of the mediastinum is a rare and potentially fatal lesion. Encroachment or invasion of adjacent structures is common, as are distant metastases. We present an unusual case of mediastinal seminoma with directly intracavitary invasion into the right atrium and extension to the left atrium. A 22-year-old male with right side chest pain, progressive cough, dyspnea, fever and right arm swelling lasting about a month is presented. Chest radiography on admission revealed a large mass in the anterior mediastinum. A cardiac ultrasonographic examination showed right atrial compression by the mass, with invasion of the right atrium wall. We also found polyp-like (about 2.5 cm in diameter) masses in left atrium near the area of the right pulmonary veins and a circumferential pericardial effusion. Percutaneous needle biopsy revealed mediastinal seminoma. To our knowledge, no similar case has been previously reported.