[Mediastinal chemodectoma (author's transl)].

Abstract

In 1958 a mediastinal tumor was discovered in an asymptomatic patient. She had previously complained of vomiting and an oesophageal abnormality had been discovered though not treated. The mediastinal tumor was resected and diagnosed as a non chromaffine chemodectoma. In the follow-up the mediastinal image never appeared normal and the heart shadow was enlarged. In 1974 an infiltrate appeared in the left lung. In 1975 the patient was operated : a pulmonary osteochondroma, a pericarditis and an intrapericardial aortopulmonary chemodectoma were discovered. The mediastinal chemodectoma is a rare tumor and its frequency, location and signs are discussed. The importance of angiography for diagnosis is stressed. The authors consider malignant degenerescence to be rare, and the treatment is surgical as the tumor is radioresistant. In the present case there was either a malignant recurrence or multiple focuses with a possible oesophageal location.