[Difficulties with diagnosis of intrathoracic neurogenic tumors (author's transl)]

58 patients have been operated for neurogenic tumors of the mediastinum. Diagnostic problems are discussed. Some rare cases are presented: a neurofibroma of the n. vagus with mediastinal localization, a cavernous hemangioma, a leiomyoma and a fibrosarcoma; all of these imitating typical neurogenic tumors. The patient with the fibrosarcoma had several operations for recurrence of the histologically benign neurofibroma and died 4 years later of generalized fibrosarcoma. Because of this possible histological error all seemingly benign neurogenic tumors should be removed early.