Retroperitoneal ganglioneuroma presenting as an obstructive pyelonephritis: a case report

Abstract

Ganglioneuroma is a nerve tumor arising from the sympathetic neural crest. It is a rare benign tumor. Retroperitoneum is its second location after the posterior mediastinum. Usually asymptomatic, it is discovered incidentally on imaging. Surgical resection is the sole treatment. The prognosis is good if the diagnosis is made early with quality R0 surgical excision. We report a case in a 14-year-old female admitted to the emergency department for obstructive pyelonephritis. Imaging features found a retroperitoneal mass with characteristics suggestive of a retroperitoneal ganglioneuroma, which was confirmed by histological study. Ganglioneuroma should be a part of differential diagnoses for any retroperitoneal mass in children and young adults.

A case of ganglioneuroma of the ureter and review of the literature

“…Ganglioneuromas at these sites can cause urinary tract obstruction with lower urinary tract symptoms and pelvic pain, as well as complications of secondary to local compression. There have been rare cases of ganglioneuromas associated with watery diarrhea, hypokalemia, and achlorhydria syndrome, such as the case reported by Lejian et al, 9 as well as renal ganglioneuroma presenting as an apparent renal artery aneurysm, 10 and retroperitoneal ganglioneuroma presenting as obstructive pyelonephritis, 11 all secondary to local compression and requiring a combination of imaging and pathology to achieve a differential diagnosis.…”