Non-functional paraganglioma of the mediastinum

Paragangliomas are rare tumours which have the ability to secrete neuropeptide and catecholamines. Frequently, the clinical presentation of these tumours is ill defined and some may have no symptoms whatsoever until the tumour is large enough to cause symptoms secondary to local invasion and mass effect, hence making paragangliomas a challenge to diagnose and manage surgically. We report a case of a 55 year old female who presented with shortness of breath and chest pain for 3 years. Further investigations led to the demonstration of a mass along the left side of the mediastinum which was suggestive of a neoplasm. Complete surgical resection of the tumour was achieved and the patient was discharged uneventfully.