[Intrathorakal nonchromaffin paragangliomas (chemodectomas) (author's transl)]

Report of 3 benign nonchromaffin paragangliomas (chemodectomas) localised in the anterior mediastinum (female, aged 25), the posterior mediastinum (female, aged 55) and the right upper lobe of the lung (male, aged 40). These tumours arise from parasympathetic paraganglia. About 5-10% of the tumours are malignant. A survey of the literature about intrathoracic chemodectomas is given and age sex distribution, histology, morphological differential diagnosis, dignity and therapy of these tumours are discussed.