Three-dimensional computed tomography-guided excision of an intrathoracic giant thymoma with elongated thymic vessels.

Abstract

We report the case of an intrathoracic giant thymoma with elongated thymic vessels, which was successfully resected under three-dimensional computed tomography guidance. A large, left-sided intrathoracic mass was incidentally found in a 41-year-old woman during a routine work-up for uterine cancer. Six vessels were noted arising from the tumor, five of which were connected to the anterosuperior mediastinum. The vasculature suggested that the tumor originated from the thymus and grew into the left pleural cavity, which pulled and elongated the associated vessels. Preoperative computed tomography imaging demonstrated that these vessels were located behind the tumor, which increased the risk for catastrophic intraoperative bleeding. We created a detailed surgical plan using our preoperative computed tomography data and successfully excised the tumor using intraoperative three-dimensional computed tomography guidance. Histopathological examination revealed a type AB thymoma without capsular invasion. This case highlighted the role of preoperative planning and intraoperative imaging in resecting an intrathoracic giant thymoma safely. In the video, we demonstrate how we performed the procedure under three-dimensional navigation.