Background: A 40-year-old man was referred to our clinic with recurrent paragangliomas. He had undergone resection of a paraganglioma superior to the right adrenal gland at 19 years of age, resection of two para-aortic paragangliomas at 39 years of age, and resection of a paraganglioma in the interatrial septum at 40 years. The patient's mother had died at age 39 years of metastases from a carotid body tumor.
Investigations: MRI and CT scanning, 131I-labeled metaiodobenzylguanidine scanning, and genetic testing for a mutation in the succinate dehydrogenase complex, subunit B gene.
Diagnosis: Familial paraganglioma syndrome type 4 caused by a mutation in the succinate dehydrogenase complex, subunit B gene.
Management: The patient underwent two surgical procedures in our clinic. The first was to remove two para-aortic paragangliomas, and the second to remove a paraganglioma that involved both atria. The patient is at high risk for malignant disease and should undergo an annual monitoring program that consists of physical examination and measurement of his blood pressure and levels of urinary catecholamines and metanephrines. If these procedures suggest a recurrence of paraganglioma, 123I-labeled metaiodobenzylguanidine scanning should be performed. As he might develop nonfunctional tumors, however, he should also undergo CT scanning, MRI scanning, or both, of the neck, thorax, abdomen, and pelvis every 6-12 months. Genetic testing has been offered to family members.