[Spontaneous hemoperitoneum complicating intraperitoneal paraganglioma]

A young man of 27 years was admitted to the medical ward because of increasing ascites over 3 months. There were no signs of portal hypertension and a diagnostic tap produced hemorrhagic liquid. Ultrasound confirmed ascites associated with an abdomino-pelvic mass. Anemia progressed and right aorto-iliac axis arteriography was carried out and demonstrated a poorly vascularised mass. Emergency surgery was carried out and demonstrated an encapsulated firm and cystic abdomino-pelvic mass of 23/18 cm with a rich vascular supply from the greater omentum and a hemoperitoneum of 7 litres secondary to rupture of this pseudo-lymphangiomatous mass. Besides large vessels from the and some loose fibrous adhesions in the pouch of Douglas there was no true implantation site attaching this mass to retroperitoneal structures, gastrointestinal tract or bladder. After ligation of the vessels the entire mass was easily resected. The post-operative course was uncomplicated. Pathological examination confirmed a paraganglioma. A full clinical pathogenic, therapeutic and evolutive study is described.