Lipomatous retroperitoneal ganglioneuroma

Abstract

Fatty replacement of non-lipomatous tumors is rare. We report a case of retroperitoneal ganglioneuroma, showing fatty replacement in a 17-year-old adolescent male. The patient presented with a left lumbar mass. Ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) examination showed a 5 × 6 cm mass near the left adrenal gland. A diagnosis of myelolipoma was made clinically due to the proximity of the tumor to the adrenal gland and fat content of the tumor. Microscopic examination of the growth revealed extensive foci of fat scattered between the ganglioneuroma component. Fatty replacement of the ganglioneuroma has been documented only in four cases so far. A short review of the differential diagnosis of fat containing retroperitoneal masses is made along with emphasis on the pathological and clinical implications of lipomatous change.

Keywords

• Ganglioneuroma
• fatty replacement
• retroperitoneal
• retroperitoneal mass