Thoracic ganglioneuromas resulting in nonimmune hydrops fetalis

Massive thoracic ganglioneuroma with significant mass effect on left hemithorax

A 42-year-old, otherwise healthy, woman presented with persistent left-sided chest pain. A chest X-ray revealed a large opacity in the left hemithorax which prompted further investigation with an MRI. MRI revealed a large left apical mass occupying approximately two-thirds of the left hemithorax. The mass was investigated further with a CT with contrast which did not reveal any vascular involvement or invasion into adjacent structures. The patient successfully underwent tumour resection via left thoracotomy. The tumour was removed in its entirety. Grossly, the tumour was a 23×10×10 cm, well encapsulated, ovoid, fibrous nodule. Histopathology revealed ganglion cells, nerve fibres and Schwann cells in a mucous matrix consistent with ganglioneuroma. Postoperative course was unremarkable.