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Paraganglioma in the posterior mediastinum: a case report
Jong-Ho Nam1, Jong-Seon Park2, Joon Hyuk Choi3
1Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yeungnam University College of Medicine, 170, Hyeonchung-ro, Nam-gu, Daegu, 42415, Republic of Korea.
Background:
Paragangliomas are tumors that arise from extra-adrenal chromaffin cells. Herein, we present a rare case of a functional paraganglioma in the posterior mediastinum.
Case Presentation:
A 36-year-old man presented with paroxysms of chest pain and headache. At presentation, the patient's blood pressure was 190/120 mmHg. Chest computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a left paravertebral mass in the posterior mediastinum. 123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine scanning revealed focally high tracer uptake in the left paravertebral area. The metanephrine level in the urine was elevated, confirming a rare, catecholamine-producing, functional paraganglioma in the posterior mediastinum. Before surgery, the patient was prepared by orally administering α- and β-adrenergic blockers. The mass was then resected via a lateral thoracotomy. The metanephrine level in urine was normal 24 h after surgery.
Conclusions:
Paragangliomas in the posterior mediastinum are very rare, but more than half of all cases are functional. The associated symptoms are curable with complete resection, and long-term follow-up for recurrence is important.
