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Updated: Sep 23, 2026
Use of Electromagnetic Navigational Transthoracic Needle Aspiration (E-TTNA) for Sampling of Lung Nodules
Published on: May 23, 2015
[Paraganglioma diagnosed by EBUS-TBNA: A case report]
G Perceval1, G Riley2, L Schnedecker3
1Département de pneumologie, CHRU de Nancy, 29, avenue du Maréchal-de-Lattre de Tassigny CO 60034, 54035 Nancy cedex, France.
Introduction:
Paragangliomas are rare neuroendocrine tumors occasionally found in the mediastinum. A characteristic CT presentation suffices to raise suspicions. Biopsy specimens are usually avoided, and diagnosis is generally based on a combination of biological, clinical and iconographic evidence.
Case Report:
We report on the case of an 84-year old female patient without adrenergic signs, who presented with an isolated mid-mediastinal lesion, which was found on FDG-TEP to be hypermetabolic. Its appearance was suggestive of a neuroendocrine tumor or a clear cell renal tumor, leading to investigation by EBUS-TBNA. The cytology aspirations subsequently performed were complicated by moderate bleeding, which was controlled by local instillations of adrenalized serum. An anatomopathological diagnosis of paraganglioma ensued, and was confirmed by further endocrinologic investigations.
Conclusions:
Notwithstanding its technical feasibility, assessment of mediastinal paragangliomas by EBUS-TBNA may present an increased risk of moderate to severe bleeding. Appropriate safety measures should be considered, as well as diagnosis by non-invasive methods alone.
