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Updated: Feb 14, 2026

Transaxillary First Rib Resection for Treatment of the Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Published on: September 13, 2020
Massive thoracic ganglioneuroma with significant mass effect on left hemithorax
Jacob T Lambdin1, Kyongjune B Lee2, Gregory Trachiotis3
1School of Medicine, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA.
Abstract:
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.
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