Non-functional retroperitoneal paraganglioma: A case report.

Chattoraj, Ashok K; Rao, Uma M; Sarkar, Nilanjan; Jakka, Sridevi · J Family Med Prim Care · 2019

case_report · Level V

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Abstract

Paragangliomas are extra-adrenal tumors of the autonomic nervous system and may be found within the skull base, neck, chest, and abdomen. When presenting within the abdominal cavity, they may arise as a primary retroperitoneal neoplasm and can mimic vascular malformations or other conditions related to specific retroperitoneal organs such as the pancreas, kidneys.<sup>[1]</sup> They synthesize, store, and secrete catecholamines because of which they may present with headache, sweating, palpitation, and symptoms of hypertension (functional).<sup>[2]</sup> In the absence of histological diagnosis and symptoms of catecholamine excess (non-functional), these may be mistaken for GISTs.<sup>[3]</sup> We are reporting a case of a 36-year-old female who was clinically diagnosed as GIST, underwent excision, and postoperative histopathological examination was found to be paraganglioma.