MRI in the pre-operative assessment of tracheal cylindroma. Case report.

Compared with malignant neoplasms of the chest, benign tumours are quite rare; cylindroma (or salivary gland adenoma) is exceptional. The apparent histological benignancy belies its high potential for invasiveness. This can, in some cases, lead to extensive, non-conservative surgery. By a different approach in the imaging of the chest, Magnetic Resonance Imaging in this condition may provide an accurate pre-operative assessment. We present a case in which MRI provided the information necessary for the surgical approach, and describe its accuracy and the results obtained.