Giant Anterior Mediastinal Mass Requiring Awake Veno-Venous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Therapy: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Background Anterior mediastinal masses may be the result of hematological or solid malignancies. Giant masses may cause significant compression on vital structures, including the trachea and main bronchi, and might lead to airway obstruction and respiratory collapse. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support may be life-saving in these extreme situations. mediastinal and causing impending airway obstruction and severe narrowing of the trachea, awake ECMO may be a considerable option, with a potential to avoid difficult intubation and post-intubation airway obstruction with life-threatening respiratory collapse. ECMO support may be used as a bridge to chemotherapy, in cases of hematological malignancies, or to surgery, in cases of solid tumors.