Paraganglioma presenting with an aortic aneurysm.

The concurrence of a paraganglioma of the organ of Zuckerkandl and an abdominal aortic aneurysm is reported in a 72-year-old caucasian male. Computerized tomography scan confirmed the aneurysm and noted a well-circumscribed tumour of the aneurysmal wall. At operation, the tumour was identified and excised with part of the aneurysmal wall. The tumour exhibited all the features of a paraganglioma while the vessel wall showed atherosclerosis and secondary degenerative changes. The features of the aortico-sympathetic group of paragangliomas are discussed.