An extra-adrenal paraganglioma is a rare tumor derived from the chromaffin cells of sympathetic ganglia. This report documents a rare case of nonfunctional extra-adrenal paraganglioma in a 20-year-old woman with persistent flank pain. Ultrasonography and computed tomography revealed a solid mass with calcification in center, measuring 7 x 6 x 6 cm, and localized in the left upper para-aortal retroperitoneal region. Absence of typical clinical symptoms made a correct preoperative diagnosis unlikely. Tumor was successfully removed through a midline laparotomy incision, and pathological analysis of the surgical specimen revealed a paraganglioma. After 12 months, the patient is still in a good health, asymptomatic, and without evidence of tumor recurrence. This case emphasizes the necessity to include extra-adrenal paraganglioma in the differential diagnosis and management of retroperitoneal tumors, despite its rarity.
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Cureus
December 2024
Internal Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine, Pensacola, USA.
Extra-adrenal pheochromocytomas are rare neuroendocrine tumors originating outside the adrenal glands and can pose significant diagnostic challenges due to their variable presentations. This report highlights a case of an extra-adrenal pheochromocytoma masquerading as a pancreatic head malignancy. We underscore the importance of considering extra-adrenal pheochromocytoma in the differential diagnosis of pancreatic masses, particularly when biochemical or clinical features suggest catecholamine excess.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Surg Case Rep
January 2025
Department of Endocrine Surgery, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 4LP, United Kingdom.
Paragangliomas, a type of extra-adrenal tumour, albeit rare, are dangerous due to their high metastatic potential and risk of hypertensive crisis from massive catecholamine release. It typically presents with sympathetic overdrive symptoms such as diaphoresis, headache, and palpitation, accompanied by substantially high plasma metanephrines level and mass on contrasted computed tomography abdomen and pelvis, whilst some are found incidentally. In this report, we discuss a case of an extra-adrenal lesion located near susceptible major structures with extensive vascularisation, in a patient with near-death experience.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCureus
December 2024
Pediatric Radiology, Detroit Medical Center, Wayne State University, Detroit, USA.
Pheochromocytoma is a catecholamine-secreting tumor that arises from the medullary chromaffin cells but can rarely be extra-adrenal in origin. We present a case of a 16-year-old female patient with uncontrolled hypertension, despite being on lisinopril and metoprolol, and associated left-sided chest pain, recurrent headaches, and an unintentional weight loss of 10 pounds in one month. Laboratory work-up showed a markedly elevated plasma metanephrine level of 4463.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEndocr Oncol
January 2025
Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, University College London Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
Unlabelled: Bladder paragangliomas are rare extra-adrenal urological tumors that account for around 0.05% of bladder cancers. Their diagnosis is often delayed because of the rarity of these tumors.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Surg Case Rep
January 2025
Neurosurgery Section, Department of Surgery, The Aga Khan Hospital, P. O Box 2289, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.
Introduction And Importance: Paragangliomas are rare neuroendocrine tumors, typically arising from extra-adrenal chromaffin cells. Primary intra-spinal paragangliomas are uncommon, and metastatic spinal paragangliomas without paraneoplastic symptoms are even rarer. This case highlights the diagnostic challenges posed by such rare tumors.
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