Inter-aorto-cava retroperitoneal paraganglioma. Case Report

Abstract

Introduction: paragangliomas are very rare extra-adrenal tumors originating from the autonomic nervous system. They are classified in functioning or non-functioning tumors, according to the production of catecholamines. Patient information: 40-year-old woman, with a history of severe arterial hypertension, who had been treated with three hypotensive drugs without obtaining control; she began to suffer diffuse abdominal pain that increased, associated with hyperpolymenorrhea and a periumbilical tumor of approximately 8 cm, painful and mobile. Laboratory tests were normal. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the diagnosis of an 8×5 cm retroperitoneal tumor attached to the aorta and displacing the inferior cava. It was necessary to carry out a highly complex surgical intervention. A tumor was found and the histological and immunohistochemical results confirmed the existence of a non-functioning extra-adrenal paraganglioma. Conclusions: retroperitoneal paraganglioma is a rare tumor, as shown by statistics. The diagnosis was made, fundamentally, by imaging, histological and immunohistochemical studies. Treatment is fundamentally surgical, as was performed in this patient.

Keywords

• paraganglioma retroperitoneal
• inter aorto cava