Paraganglioma of the posterior mediastinum: value of magnetic resonance imaging.

A case of paraganglioma arising in the posterior mediastinum in a 29-year-old man diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging is reported. Excision of mediastinal paraganglioma is often hazardous because of its rich vascular supply and tendency to involve surrounding structures. Magnetic resonance imaging is valuable for the preoperative diagnosis of this vascular tumor as well as for determination of its resectability and appropriate surgical procedure.