Paraganglioma simulating primary rib tumor.

We report an unusual case of a nonchromaffin paraganglioma, 7 cm in diameter, presenting clinically within the thorax of a 7-year-old girl as a primary rib tumor. It is believed to be the first report of such a location for this tumor. The rib of origin and parts of the two adjacent ones were removed, along with the involved middle lobe of the lung. The possibility is proposed that the ganglion cells of origin were carried to the tumor site during development of the intercostal nerve. The defect in the patient's chest wall was repaired with Marlex mesh and there is no evidence of difficulty, nor of recurrence, four and one-half years later.