Rare Giant Thoracic Paraganglioma Presenting With Emesis In A Child: A Case Report

Objective: Extra-adrenal pheochromocytoma, known as paraganglioma, is located in multiple body regions that are commonly the head and neck region, aorta abdominalis, renal blood vessels, and nearby regions of the inferior mesenteric artery, along the sympathetic chain. It has diversified atypical clinical symptoms, and it is very uncommon for children to have giant thoracic paraganglioma. There are many patients with missed or delayed diagnosis due to a lack of knowledge of extra-adrenal and bilateral adrenal pheochromocytoma. Methods: In this paper, we analyzed and summarized the clinical data, diagnosis and treatment of a child with the onset of digestive tract symptoms such as emesis and surgically confirmed giant thoracic paraganglioma who was admitted to the Department of Pediatrics of West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University/West China Women's and Children's Hospital in October 2016. Conclusion: Pheochromocytoma has diversified clinical manifestations and locations, so careful inquiry of medical history and physical examination combined with imageological and laboratory examinations are important for a definitive diagnosis.