Paraganglioma of the vagina: a case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Vaginal paraganglioma is a rare and unusual tumor occurring in the vaginal wall. It is a solitary primary paraganglioma, especially in atypical sites. Herein, we report an unusual case of a 17-year-old woman who had not experienced vomiting, or hypertension. She was found to have an immobile solid mass in the right side of her vaginal wall. Positron emission tomography/computed tomography scans revealed a well-defined solid ovoid mass adjacent to the bladder and pelvic floor. Tumor markers were within the normal range. A transient blood pressure increase occurred during the biopsy. After oral administration of antihypertensive drugs, surgery was performed to completely remove the mass. Histopathological examination indicated that it was a paraganglioma of the vagina. Repeat computed tomography examination did not reveal any local recurrence or distant metastasis during the 12-month follow-up period.

An Unusual Case of Paraganglioma of the Broad Ligament Presenting as Cystic Mass

“…Paragangliomas have the potential to present as a mass with paroxysmal symptoms such as palpitations, pallor, tremor, headache, and diaphoresis as well as hypertension due to their catecholamine secreting properties, observed in only 25% of the paragangliomas [7]. The current case presented as large cystic abdominal mass causing burning micturition.…”

“…Due to the possibility of neoplasm recurrence and metastasis especially after incomplete surgical excision, patients need periodic checks and long-term follow-up [7]. …”

Pathological features of paraganglioma in the lumbar spinal canal

“…In the minority of patients, the tumor can occur in parts of the body without accessory ganglia, such as the heart, [ 1 ] lung, [ 2 ] gallbladder, [ 3 ] thyroid, [ 4 ] uterus, [ 5 ] and vaginal wall. [ 6 ] Paraganglioma is a unique neuroendocrine tumor that is often encapsuled and benign. This tumor is derived from special neural crest cells in the segmental or lateral autonomic ganglia.…”

Peritoneal carcinomatosis from ovarian paraganglioma: Report of a rare case and systematic review of the literature

“…These tumors usually take origin from the para‐aortic regions, but there are reports of their presence in virtually every organ. Occasionally, paraganglioma occurs in the female genital tract, where isolated cases of sporadic tumors have been reported in the uterus, vagina, and vulva . Paraganglioma of the ovary is an extremely rare condition with only 10 cases reported to date.…”