Cross-sectional imaging of paragangliomas of the aortic body and other thoracic branchiomeric paraganglia.

Objective: Our purpose was to show the CT and MRI findings of paragangliomas of the aortic body and the great vessels of the mediastinum.

Conclusion: Paragangliomas of the aortic body and the great vessels have a characteristic imaging appearance. They originate from known sites of the branchiomeric paraganglia such as the aortic body. Knowledge of the location of the aortic body and other paraganglia combined with an appreciation of the how these tumors grow and displace neighboring structures will suggest a potential diagnosis of mediastinal paraganglioma.