Imaging of Intrathoracic Paragangliomas

Semin Ultrasound CT MR. 2017 Dec;38(6):584-593. doi: 10.1053/j.sult.2017.07.004. Epub 2017 Aug 4.

Abstract

Intrathoracic paragangliomas are uncommon and only represent 1%-2% of paragangliomas. They are most commonly found in mediastinal compartments (aortopulmonary window or posterior mediastinum). Computed tomography, magnetic resonance, and specific nuclear medicine radiotracers are routinely used to characterize these lesions and help exclude other more common conditions. Selective angiography is currently used for preoperative embolization and mapping of the vascular supply before surgical resection, rather than for diagnostic purposes alone.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Paraganglioma / diagnosis*
  • Positron-Emission Tomography
  • Thoracic Neoplasms / diagnosis*