Primary pulmonary paraganglioma

Abstract

We describe a 46-year-old man with a mass in the lower lobe of the right lung. The tumor was initially suspected to be a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma after endobronchial biopsy. Subsequently, a right lower lobectomy was performed, and a paraganglioma was diagnosed histologically. Using whole-body CT scan and metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scintigraphy, we excluded the involvement of other organs. No evidence of recurrence or metastasis was found during the follow-up period of 3 years. Primary pulmonary paragangliomas are very uncommon tumors. Literature relevant to this disease entity is discussed.