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CASE REPORT |
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Year : 2015 | Volume
: 5
| Issue : 4 | Page : 220-223 |
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Paraganglioma: A rare retroperitoneal tumor
Edwin Oduagbon Obarisiagbon1, Jude Orumuah Agbugui1, Gerald Forae2
1 Department of Surgery, Urology Unit, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria 2 Department of Pathology, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria
Date of Web Publication | 21-Jan-2016 |
Correspondence Address: Dr. Edwin Oduagbon Obarisiagbon Department of Surgery, Urology Unit, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City Nigeria
Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/2278-9596.174674
Paraganglioma is a rare catecholamine-secreting tumor, that is, found anywhere in the line of the sympathetic chain and that of the parasympathetic ganglia. They usually present with severe hypertension which can be challenging to the surgeon during the management. We successfully managed a 28-year-old lady who presented with a 6 year history of episodic hypertension, palpitation, insomnia, excessive sweating, and weight loss. An abdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography scan showed a retroperitoneal mass in front of the left kidney. She subsequently had exploratory laparotomy and excision of the tumor with resolution of symptoms. Histology of the mass revealed features consistent with a paraganglioma. She is presently being followed up in our surgical out-patient clinic. Keywords: Abdomen, paraganglioma, retroperitoneal tumor
How to cite this article: Obarisiagbon EO, Agbugui JO, Forae G. Paraganglioma: A rare retroperitoneal tumor. Arch Int Surg 2015;5:220-3 |
Introduction | | |
Pheochromocytoma, according to 2004, WHO classification of endocrine tumors was defined as tumor which arise from catecholamine-producing chromaffin cells in the adrenal medulla. Closely related tumors found in the extra-adrenal sympathetic and parasympathetic paraganglia were classified as extra-adrenal paragangliomas. [1] Paragangliomas may develop anywhere there are sympathetic nerve cells, and this usually means along any of the major arteries in the body. Paragangliomas can be found in the skull region, neck, chest cavity, abdomen, pelvis, and the bladder. The most common site is within the abdomen where approximately 85-90% is located. They have only about a 5% incidence of malignancy, these tumors are associated with a high risk of morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular complications. [2] Most paragangliomas occur as sporadic tumors. However, certain hereditary syndromes such as von Hippel-Lindau syndrome, multiple endocrines neoplasia Type 2, neurofibromatosis Type 1, and familial paraganglioma syndrome have been associated with the development of paragangliomas. [3] Because of their rarity, little information is available regarding the natural history of these tumors and patient outcome after resection, and especially regarding the diagnosis of malignant tumors. [4] We present here a case of a 28-year-old lady with features of abdominal paraganglioma managed in our unit.
Case Report | | |
NC is a 28-year-old lady who was referred to our outpatient clinic with 6 years history of intermittently elevated blood pressure (BP). There were associated tremulousness' anxiety insomnia palpitation, excessive sweating, and weight loss. There was no significant family history. At presentation, she was calm though sweating at rest, the BP was 260/130 mmHg, and pulse was 132/min. There was no neck or thyroid mass palpable. The abdominal examination did not reveal any abnormality.
A working diagnosis of pheochromocytoma, to rule out a paraganglioma was made. An abdominal ultrasonography showed a large retroperitoneal mass in the region of the left kidney. This was supported by an abdominal computed tomography scan that also revealed a heterogeneous mass (5 cm × 8 cm) lying anterior to the lower pole of the left kidney [Figure 1]. A 24 h urine vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) was 12 mg/day. She was subsequently commenced on prazosin, and propranolol to control the BP in conjunction with the endocrinology unit of the hospital. Her thyroid function test, serum calcium, phosphate, alkaline phosphatase, and other parameters were all within normal limits. Her hematocrit at admission was 36%. She was transfused with 2 units of whole blood and adequately hydrated with normal saline few days before surgery. She subsequently had exploratory laparotomy and excision of a retroperitoneal mass. The findings at operation include a large retroperitoneal mass that measured 8 cm × 5 cm × 4 cm intimately related to the lower pole of the left kidney and the abdominal aorta but not attached to them. No enlarged lymph nodes were seen, and both adrenal glands were normal. The excised mass weighed 124.1 g [Figure 2]. | Figure 1: A coronal section of the abdomen showing the tumor X on computed tomography scan
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Intraoperatively her BP was closely monitored and controlled with sodium nitroprusside. Microscopically, sections showed benign neoplastic lesions composed of large polyhedral cells with granular cytoplasm and pleomorphic nuclei. The cells were disposed in cords and alveolar pattern, and oriented around, and closely opposed to thin walled sinusoidal vascular channels. This was consistent with a paraganglioma [Figure 3].
Her postoperative period was uneventful. Her BP gradually normalized over days. All other symptoms have resolved. She is presently being followed up as an outpatient. Her last 24 h urine VMA was 1.8 mg/day.
Discussion | | |
Catecholamine producing tumors of extra-adrenal origin are known as paragangliomas. Paraganglioma may arise in any portion of the paraganglion system though they most commonly occur below the diaphragm, frequently in the organ of Zuckerkandl. They represent at least 15% of adult and 30% of childhood pheochromocytomas, as opposed to the traditional teaching that 10% of all pheochromocytomas are at the extra-adrenal site. [5] It most commonly occurs in the second and third decade of life with a slight male preponderance. This is in contrast to adrenal pheochromocytomas, which typically are diagnosed in the fourth and fifth decades with a slight propensity for women. [5] Episodic tachycardia, sweating, headache, and signs of paroxysmal hypertension are classic of pheochromocytoma or paraganglioma. [6],[7] These were all noted in our patient. These symptoms arise as a consequence of excessive catecholamine release. Between episodes, BP can be normal. However, clinical presentation can differ, depending on the catecholamine-releasing profile of the tumor. A tumor predominantly secreting epinephrine is usually associated with paroxysmal hypertension while the norepinephrine-secreting variant is associated with sustained hypertension. [8],[9]
Preoperative management requires appropriate pharmacologic blockade. In the case of our index patient, prazosin a selective α-blocker was used. Phenoxybenzamine (a nonselective α-blocker) can equally be used, but it is not readily available in our environment. A β-blocker is added if there is an α-blocker induced tachycardia. Alternatively, Salinas et al. recommended labetalol (a combined alpha- and beta-adrenoceptor blocker) or calcium-channel blockers (dihydropyridines), used either alone or in combination with adrenoceptor blockers. [10] It is also pertinent to carry out adequate hydration and volume expansion prior to surgery. This, we did by transfusing the patient despite a fairly satisfactory hematocrit.
Intraoperatively, the aim is usually complete surgical resection of the tumor even though this may be challenging because of the vascularization and its proximity to major vessels. Laparoscopic resection is preferred to open surgery, especially for small tumors. However, where the tumor is big, malignancy cannot be ruled out, and there is uncontrolled intraoperative bleeding one may resort to open retroperitoneal dissection. [11],[12] Open dissection is also done when facility for laparoscopy is not available. We were able to achieve a complete resection of the tumor macroscopically without vascular injury. The diagnosis of paraganglioma was made in this patient based on the clinical features, radiological, intraoperative, and histological findings. Although immunostaining for neuroendocrine markers such as chromogranin, synaptophysin, CD56, and CD57 was not done because they were not readily available, the hematoxylin and eosin staining was separately and independently read by five pathologists before the diagnosis was concluded.
Postoperatively the serum catecholamines levels will normalize and symptoms resolve. The urinary VMA in our patient fell to a normal level when it was repeated 4 weeks after surgery. The prognosis is excellent if the tumor is benign and completely excised, with a 5-year survival rate >95%. Feng et al. noted, however, that the exact survival in the malignant cases is difficult to determine. [4] Although the incidence is lower, the survival rate is related to the familial circumstance, the stage of the disease at the diagnosis, the therapeutic methods, and follow-up after the surgery. [13],[14] It is, therefore, pertinent that a long-term follow-up should be done using clinical, biochemical, and radiological modalities.
Conclusion | | |
The management of patients with paraganglioma should be performed by teams of experienced anesthesiologists, endocrinologists, and surgeons in order to prevent perioperative complications and reduce the morbidity. Although a laparoscopic approach is favored open surgery becomes an alternative when the facility is not available. Successful surgical excision is associated with the complete resolution of the symptoms. However, long-term follow-up is the rule.
Financial support and sponsorship
Nil.
Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
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[Figure 1], [Figure 2], [Figure 3]
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