Malignant Intrarenal/Renal Pelvis Paraganglioma with Co-Occurring SDHB and ATRX Mutations

Paragangliomas are rare neuroendocrine tumors which originate from embryonic neural crest cells. These tumors may arise from parasympathetic or sympathetic paraganglia, may secrete catecholamines, and can occur in varied anatomic locations, with some locations being less common than others. Hereditary paraganglioma-pheochromocytoma (PGL/PCC) syndromes are characterized by paragangliomas and pheochromocytomas and have been associated with germline heterozygous mutations in MAX, SDHA, SDHAF2, SDHB, SDHC, SDHD, or TMEM127. Herein, we report a case of a middle-aged male who was diagnosed with an intrarenal/renal pelvis paraganglioma after presenting in hypertensive crisis with palpitations, headache, and diaphoresis. He was later found to have extensive metastatic disease, as well as genetic testing that showed biallelic inactivation of SDHB and a co-occurring somatic ATRX mutation. Respectively, these germline and somatic mutations have been associated with increased risk of metastatic spread and clinical aggressiveness. Despite multiple surgical resections and various treatment modalities, the patient eventually elected for palliative care measures and died of disease. Together, the findings seen in this patient are unique and serve as an appropriate catalyst for discussing the unusual locations, interesting genetic profiles, and metastatic risk factors that may be associated with paragangliomas.