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Updated: Jul 10, 2026

A Novel Method: Super-selective Adrenal Venous Sampling
Published on: September 15, 2017
Asymptomatic pheochromocytoma in the posterior mediastinum
A Bouhouch1, J M H Hendriks, P R M Lauwers
1Department of Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium.
Abstract:
A 66-year-old female patient was treated for a posterior mediastinal tumour with unknown histology. During thoracotomy, repetitive hypertensive crises had to be treated. The tumour was completely resected. Pathology revealed an extra-adrenal pheochromocytoma. Diagnosis of pheochromocytoma is usually made on the basis of clinical presentation and elevated catecholamine levels in serum or urine. Imaging is used primarily for localizing tumours prior to surgery. Complete surgical excision is the primary treatment. The only absolute indicator of malignancy is the identification of distant metastases to bone, liver, lung or lymph nodes.
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