Intrathoracic ancient neurilemoma mimicking mesenchymal thoracic tumor

Ancient neurilemoma is a rare variant of neurilemoma and can grow into a large tumor, which results in several symptoms. It is often misdiagnosed to be malignant neoplasm because of its histological features of nuclear atypia. The authors reported an 87-year-old woman presenting with progressive dyspnea and chronic cough for more than 1 year. Computed tomography of the chest showed a huge heterogeneous, paravertebral mass with focal calcification, arising from intervertebral foramen. The tumor was successfully resected by thoracotomy and pathology disclosed ancient neurilemoma.