Sympathetic paraganglioma

A benign or malignant paraganglioma arising from the chromaffin cells of the paraganglia that are located along the sympathetic nerves. It includes extra-adrenal paragangliomas and paragangliomas that arise from the adrenal medulla. The latter are commonly referred to as pheochromocytomas. Representative examples of extra-adrenal sympathetic paragangliomas include the bladder, and superior and inferior paraaortic paragangliomas. Clinical signs are related to the secretion of catecholamines resulting in hypertension.