Nonfunctional posterior mediastinal paraganglioma

A 54-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for left chest pain. Imaging studies (chest radiography, computed tomography, and magnetic nuclear resonance imaging) showed a well-defined left paraspinal mass with central necrosis (6 × 5 × 4 cm), located between T7 and T9. Urine levels of metanephrine and normetanephrine were within normal limits. The patient underwent a complete resection of the tumor through a posterolateral thoracotomy. Perioperative vital signs were normal. The diagnosis of paraganglioma was confirmed histologically. The patient was discharged on the 3rd postoperative day. Radiological imaging studies revealed no signs of recurrence during the 18-month postoperative follow-up.