Asymptomatic left posterior mediastinal functional paraganglioma: A case report

• Published in: Medicine (Baltimore) Vol. 98; no. 28; p. e16383
• Main Authors: Yue, Yang, Xin, Hua, Li, Fu-Qiang, Wu, Jun-Duo, Liu, Jun-Zhi, Zhang, Le-Ning
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Wolters Kluwer Health 01.07.2019
• Subjects: Clinical Case Report; Diagnosis, Differential; Humans; Male; Mediastinal Neoplasms - diagnosis; Mediastinal Neoplasms - pathology; Mediastinal Neoplasms - therapy; Middle Aged; Paraganglioma - diagnosis; Paraganglioma - pathology; Paraganglioma - therapy
• ISSN: 0025-7974; 1536-5964
• DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000016383

Paraganglioma refers to a set of neuroendocrine tumors derived from the chromaffin cells of the adrenal diplomatic ganglion. Paragangliomas can be classified as functional or nonfunctional based on the ability to synthesize and release catecholamines. We report a 47-year-old man with a functional paraganglioma in the left posterior mediastinum and highlight the key elements of management of mediastinal paragangliomas. A left posterior mediastinal mass was found by computed tomography (CT) scan and Chest-enhanced CT. Preoperative ultrasound-guided biopsy suggested the possibility of a paraganglioma. A diagnosis of paraganglioma was established by immunohistochemistry. The patient underwent single-stage resection of the lesion via left thoracotomy after preoperative oral α-adrenoceptor (phenoxybenzamine) therapy and intravenous fluid resuscitation for two weeks. The postoperative period was uneventful. The patient exhibited no abnormal blood pressure or recurrence during the 12-month follow-up period. Pathological examination alone cannot determine whether it was a benign or malignant paraganglioma, which can be determined by pathological examination combined with distant metastasis. Long-term follow-up is required to assess the treatment effect.