Successful resection of a huge paraganglioma utilizing cardiopulmonary bypass

Abstract

A 54-year-old woman was diagnosed with a large paraganglioma in the left paraaortic area, extending into the aortopulmonary window and up to a right-sided superior vena cava. The tumor was treated with repeated embolizations that failed to reduce its size. Complete surgical excision was achieved utilizing cardiopulmonary bypass. The patient made a full recovery.

Surgical management of mediastinal paraganglioma: All hands on deck!

“…The majority of paragangliomas are found in the abdomen (80%‐95%), and less commonly found elsewhere such as in the neck (4%) and in the thorax (about 2%). Mediastinal paragangliomas account for less than 0.3% of all mediastinal tumors 3‐5 . Similar to pheochromocytomas, some paragangliomas can synthesize and secrete catecholamines to the circulation, however, most of these tumors are nonfunctional.…”

“…Mediastinal paragangliomas are very uncommon. Most published literature about this tumor is in the form of single case reports 3‐6,8‐10 or case series of fewer than 15 cases each accumulated over a very long period of time at tertiary academic centers 11,12 . Brown et al 11 from Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, provided an excellent review of this topic.…”