Mediastinal paragangliomas are unusual neoplasms that have been described in the medical
literature. The microscopic features of paragangliomas are well established and are
essentially similar, regardless of the anatomic site, although some minor differences
have been noted according to the location of the tumor. We present a case of nonfunctioning
anterior mediastinal paraganglioma in a 33-year-old woman. The mediastinal tumor was
accidentally discovered on a thoracic tomographic scan performed for an unrelated
minor nasal discomfort. Diagnosis was confirmed by 123l-metaiodobenzylguanidine scintigraphy
and mediastinoscopy. Complete resection of the tumor was done through a median sternotomy
and the patient received intraoperative radiotherapy.
Paraganglioma - Mediastinum - Parasympathetic
