Paraganglioma with pulmonary metastases: a case report

Distant metastases due to paraganglioma are a rare occurrence. We report a case of paraganglioma with pulmonary metastases and review the literature on paragangliomas. A 29-year-old female presented with cervical lymphadenopathy, excision biopsy of which confirmed the diagnosis of paraganglioma. She subsequently underwent tumour embolisation and received a course of radiotherapy. Seven years later, she was investigated for multiple pulmonary nodules noted on her chest roentgenogram. Histology of the wedge excision of the lung showed metastatic paraganglioma. Increased catecholamine production was documented; this was however not associated with symptoms of catecholamine excess. Reports concerning the treatment of paragangliomas with pulmonary metastases are few, given their rarity.