Mediastinal paraganglioma: time to panic?
Paragangliomas (extra-adrenal phaeochromocytomas) are tumours arising from extra-adrenal chromaffin tissue. The authors describe a case of a 54-year-old woman presenting with shortness of breath and chest pain. CT pulmonary angiogram demonstrated a mediastinal mass. Further history taking revealed spontaneous attacks of headaches and palpitations. Subsequent imaging and biochemical testing confirmed the presence of a rare posterior mediastinal paraganglioma. The patient was prepared for surgery. A left thoracolaparotomy was performed and the mass was excised in its entirety. Postoperatively, 24-h urine collections showed normal normetanephrine and metanephrine levels. Since then, yearly catecholamine levels remain within the normal range.
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, UK. c.a.parisinos@gmail.com
Constantinos A
CA
Parisinos
Fiona M
FM
Carnochan
Maria L
ML
Gregoriades
Hannah
H
Monaghan
Dilip
D
Patel
William S
WS
Walker
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008479:Mediastinal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010235:Paraganglioma / Q000175:diagnosis*