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Extra adrenal retroperitoneal paraganglioma
Hayan A Bismar1, Khalid R Murshid
1Department of Surgery, King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. habismar@gawab.com
Saudi Medical Journal
|July 29, 2003
Summary
A rare paraganglioma was discovered in a 45-year-old Saudi woman presenting with abdominal pain. Surgical removal was successful, with an uncomplicated recovery and follow-up.
Area of Science:
- Surgical Case Report
- Abdominal Imaging
- Pathology
Background:
- Paragangliomas are rare neuroendocrine tumors originating from chromaffin cells.
- They can occur in various locations, including the retroperitoneum, often presenting with nonspecific symptoms.
Observation:
- A 45-year-old Saudi female presented with acute severe central and lower abdominal pain.
- Initial investigations revealed a significant retroperitoneal mass (8 x 7 cm) near the aortic bifurcation on CT scan.
- The patient was hemodynamically stable with localized abdominal tenderness.
Findings:
- Exploratory laparotomy confirmed the presence of a retroperitoneal mass.
- Histopathological examination definitively diagnosed the mass as a paraganglioma.
- Complete surgical excision of the tumor was achieved.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering rare retroperitoneal tumors in the differential diagnosis of abdominal pain.
- Successful surgical management of paraganglioma can lead to a favorable prognosis.
- Accurate diagnosis through imaging and histopathology is crucial for effective treatment planning.