De-differentiated liposarcoma in the mediastinum. Report of a surgical case

A 50-year-old woman with a large left posterior mediastinal tumor was admitted to our hospital for a persistent dry cough. She was diagnosed with a de-differentiated liposarcoma based on CT and MRI, which showed a lobulated heterogeneous hypointense mass including a few adipose parts. Since the de-differentiated part of the tumor tightly adhered to the pericardium, left lower lobe, and descending aorta, part of the pericardium and left lower lobe were rescected concomitantly. On the other hand, dissection of the esophagus and carina in contact with the differentiated part of the tumor was not problematic. The postoperative pathological diagnosis was de-differentiated liposarcoma, the same as the preoperative radiographical diagnosis. We consider that a precise radiographical diagnosis is necessary in order to perform appropriate surgery.