Successful laparoscopic resection of a paraganglioma immediately behind the inferior vena cava and bilateral renal veins

Abstract

Introduction Paragangliomas have a rich blood flow and are located around large vessels; thus, resection is often difficult. We herein report a case of a paraganglioma that was located immediately behind the inferior vena cava and bilateral renal veins and successfully resected by laparoscopic surgery. Case presentation A 72‐year‐old man was incidentally diagnosed with a 7‐cm retroperitoneal mass immediately behind the inferior vena cava and bilateral renal veins by computed tomography. The mass was diagnosed as a retroperitoneal paraganglioma. The patient underwent laparoscopic surgery in the left lateral decubitus position. The tumor was dissected completely with no complications. Conclusion Resection of retroperitoneal paragangliomas is often a surgical challenge. The feasibility of the laparoscopic approach to such paragangliomas was demonstrated in the present case.

Keywords

• abdominal aorta
• inferior vena cava
• laparoscopic surgery
• paraganglioma
• retroperitoneal tumor