Retroperitoneal Non-functioning Paraganglioma: A Case Report

Abstract

Retroperitoneal paragangliomas are relatively rare endocrine tumours derived from the extra-adrenal paraganglia of the autonomic nervous system. They can be functional when they secrete catecholamines or non-functional. The diagnosis of a paraganglioma is infrequently made preoperatively unless the tumour is functional. In this paper, the authors report a new case of non-functional paraganglioma. A 54-year-old woman with a past medical history of viral hepatitis, presented with vague abdominal pain of five years' duration. On examination, no abdominal mass was palpable and her blood pressure was 100/60 mm Hg. Abdominal computed tomography scan demonstrated a well-defined hypervascular retroperitoneal mass of heterogeneous density in the left para-aortic region measuring 3cm in diameter. As paraganglioma was suspected preoperatively, serum and urine cathecholamine levels were performed and were within normal range. Complete surgical excision of this mass was performed. Histological examination of the surgical specimen coupled with immunohistochemical study was consistent with the diagnosis of pararganglioma. Retroperitoneal paragangliomas are most commonly benign with good prognosis, but can be locally invasive and metastasize as well. The possibility for malignant transformation of paragangliomas makes surgical excision the treatment of choice. [J Interdiscipl Histopathol 2013; 1(3.000): 168-171

Paraganglioma: A Case Report

“…They are most commonly present in the organ of Zuckerkandl at the aortic bifurcation. 1 Men are affected more frequently than women and most patients are between the age of 30-45 years. 6 CT, MRI or ultrasonographic studies are sensitive in detecting a retroperitoneal mass and could delineate its location, outline, internal structure as well as its relationship with the surrounding organs.…”

“…3 Approximately, 50 cases of nonfunctional retroperitoneal paragangliomas were reported in the literature. 1 We report a case of paraganglioma of the duodenum.…”

Retroperitoneal Paraganglioma: A Case Report

“…parganglia. 5,6 The patient with functional paraganglioma may have symptoms of hypertension, headache, sweating and abdominal mass. 4 Our patient had history of intermittent headache, palpitations and sweating.…”

A Brief Study on Retroperitoneal Paraganglioma

“…Sometimes referred to as extra adrenal pheochromocytomas, paragangliomas are infrequent neuroendocrine neoplasm of the paraganglia, a diffuse neuro-endocrine system that is spread from the base of the skull to the pelvic floor, and these tumors are seen in people Case Report of all age groups [1,2]. Few tumors are functioning paragangliomas that synthesize, store and secrete catecholamines [3]. Higher urine/serum catecholamine levels and classical clinical features such as episodic headache, sweating and palpitation are often present [4].…”