Mediastinal pheochromocytoma with single coronary blood supply: a case report

Primary pheochromocytomas located outside the adrenal glands account for only 10% of all pheochromocytomas. Mediastinal pheochromocytomas are even rarer and usually represent a therapeutic challenge as they often infiltrate adjacent structures. We report the case of a large primary mediastinal pheochromocytoma in a 65-year-old patient presenting with a sudden angina-like chest pain and dyspnea. Thoracic multislice computed tomography showed an 8 x 5 x 6-cm retrocardiac mass causing compression of both atria and infiltrating the left superior pulmonary vein. The tumor was highly vascularized and presented a blood supply derived from the circumflex artery. The mass was successfully removed by open heart surgery, and the patient was discharged 10 days postoperatively.