Mediastinal hemangiomas.

Hemangiomas of the mediastinum are rare tumors. Fewer than 100 have been reported. This study reviews the cases of 15 patients with mediastinal hemangiomas confirmed pathologically. We analyzed and evaluated the presentation, evaluation, and treatment. Follow-up is available for 14 of the 15 patients and ranges from 15 months to 15 years. Eight of the 15 patients were seen with signs and symptoms related to the tumor. This presentation correlated with invasion of contiguous mediastinal structures by the tumor. Six patients underwent total excision and 6, subtotal excision. During follow-up, residual tumor did not spread, become symptomatic, or show evidence of malignant degeneration. Based on this analysis, we believe that in patients in whom total excision of this tumor can be accomplished only by hazardous resection, a subtotal resection should be performed.