Preoperative embolization of a massive solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura

We report the case of a 69-year-old woman with a massive fibrous tumor of the left hemithorax. Initial attempted removal by median sternotomy was abandoned due to the extremely vascular appearance of the tumor and the inability to gain safe control of the pedicle. Subsequent percutaneous embolization before removal through a left thoracotomy was successful, with little intraoperative blood loss. We recommend preoperative angiography for massive chest tumors that may be vascular and require piecemeal removal for total excision. (C) 2002 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.