Mediastinal Paragangliomas: The Mayo Clinic Experience

Functional paragangliomas can be diagnosed with measurement of fractionated catecholamines and metanephrines; mediastinal localization is determined with appropriate scanning techniques. These tumors can be treated successfully by surgical resection with modest surgical risk, often necessitating cardiopulmonary bypass, with good long-term survival. Hypertension may persist even after complete resection of the tumor.