World Journal of Surgical Oncology (Nov 2009)

Composite paraganglioma-ganglioneuroma in the retroperitoneum

  • Suzuki Seiyuu,
  • Okuda Masato,
  • Kanzaki Hiromitsu,
  • Hirasaki Shoji,
  • Fukuhara Tetsuji,
  • Hanaoka Toshihito

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1477-7819-7-81
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 7, no. 1
p. 81

Abstract

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Abstract Background Paragangliomas occur most commonly in head and neck region and much less frequently, they are found in the retroperitoneum. Composite paraganglioma-ganglioneuroma of the retroperitoneum is very rare. Case presentation We present an unusual case of retroperitoneal composite paraganglioma-ganglioneuroma discovered on computed tomography in a 63-year-old female patient. Routine hematological examination and biochemical tests were within normal limits. Plasma adrenaline was 0.042 ng/ml, plasma noradrenaline 0.341 ng/ml, and plasma dopamine 131I-Metaiodobenzylguanidine (131I-MIBG) 48 hours after radioisotope injection. Under the diagnosis of paraganglioma in the retroperitoneum, the patient underwent surgery. The resected tumor (6.5 × 5 × 3 cm) was solid and easily removed en bloc. The cut surface of the tumor and histology revealed two different components in the tumor: paraganglioma centrally and ganglioneuroma on the periphery. She remains disease-free 18 months after surgery. Conclusion This case reminds us that neuroendocrine tumor should be included in the differential diagnosis of a retroperitoneal mass although composite paraganglioma-ganglioneuroma in the retroperitoneum is very rare.