A Rare Case of Thoracoabdominal Paraganglioma: A Case Report and Literature Review

Pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas are rare neuroendocrine tumors. Pheochromocytomas are derived from chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla, while paragangliomas arise from the extra-adrenal autonomic paraganglia. Paragangliomas can derive from either parasympathetic or sympathetic paraganglia. The majority of parasympathetic ganglia-derived paragangliomas are nonfunctional and symptoms arise from mass effect, while sympathetic paragangliomas are frequently functional and present with symptoms that result from catecholamine hypersecretion. Here, we present the case of a 19-year-old female with hypertension whose biochemical tests revealed elevated plasma and urinary levels of norepinephrine and normetanephrine. Imaging studies showed a left paravertebral mass which was surgically removed. Histopathology confirmed a paraganglioma. Total surgical resection remains the gold-standard treatment and a cure can be achieved; however, all tumors may harbor malignant potential, and a long-term biochemical and imaging follow-up is required in all patients. Screening for genetic germline mutations may be helpful in identifying patients with a higher risk of recurrence or of developing other primary tumors.