Resection of a giant malignant mediastinal peripheral nerve sheath tumour under cardiopulmonary bypass

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour (MPNST) is a rare occurrence in the mediastinum. It is biologically aggressive and is generally resistant to chemoradiation therapy. The mainstay of treatment is complete surgical resection. We report a large MPNST which invaded into the adjacent aortic wall in a 50-year-old man. Extensive resection, which included aortic reconstruction under cardiopulmonary bypass and deep hypothermic arrest, was necessary for a good long-term outcome.