[A case report of mediastinal paraganglioma and a review of the literature in Japan]

Abstract

Paraganglioma is a tumor arising from the extra-adrenal paraganglion system and is rarely observed in the mediastinum. The authors experienced a case of nonfunctioning paraganglioma of the upper posterior mediastinum. The patient was a 40-year-old female in whom abnormal shadows were noted in chest X-ray films taken in March, 1989. She was examined at our hospital with a diagnosis of mediastinal tumor in June of the same year. CT of the chest revealed a tumor in the upper posterior mediastinum and it was shown to be hypervascular by a DSA study. Urinary hormone levels were normal. The tumor was resected in May, 1990. The tumor, measuring 6.8 X 4.0 X 3.5 cm, was encapsulated, appeared dark red and had relatively clear borders. A histopathologic diagnosis of paraganglioma was made. The patient remains disease-free at present, 6 months after operation. Problems concerning diagnosis and treatment of mediastinal paraganglioma were evaluated with a review of cases reported in Japan.