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Pigmented cardiac paraganglioma.

I Mikolaenko1, C A Galliani, G G Davis

  • 1Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.

Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine
|April 13, 2001
PubMed
Summary

A rare pigmented cardiac paraganglioma was discovered in a patient who died unexpectedly. This unique tumor contained melanin pigment, a feature not previously documented in cardiac paragangliomas.

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Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Pathology
  • Surgical Pathology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Paragangliomas are rare neuroendocrine tumors that can arise in various locations, including the heart.
  • Cardiac paragangliomas are exceptionally uncommon, with limited case reports in the medical literature.
  • The presence of pigment within cardiac paragangliomas has not been previously described.

Observation:

  • An autopsy revealed a pigmented left atrial mass in a 40-year-old male.
  • The mass measured 4 cm, was polypoid, and exhibited a dark red-brown cut surface.
  • Histopathological examination showed a classic paraganglioma (zellballen architecture) with a prominent capillary network.

Findings:

  • The chief cells of the paraganglioma contained a brown-black pigment with melanin-like histochemical characteristics.
  • This is the first reported case of a pigmented cardiac paraganglioma.
  • The patient's cause of death was attributed to coronary artery disease, with the tumor being an incidental finding.

Implications:

  • This case expands the known histopathological spectrum of cardiac paragangliomas.
  • The presence of melanin pigment in this tumor raises questions about its origin and potential cellular differentiation.
  • Further research may be warranted to investigate the prevalence and significance of pigment in paragangliomas.

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