Secreting retroperitoneal latero-aortic paraganglioma revealed by acute abdominal pain: a case report

We report the case of a retroperitoneal paraganglioma in a 35-year-old man discovered by abdominal pain. The abdomino-pelvic computed tomography (CT) showed a retro-peritoneal latero-aortic mass compatible with a paraganglioma, confirmed by the 24-hour urinary metanephrines and normetanephrines test. After an adequate pharmacological preparation, we decide to perform a laparoscopic resection of the paraganglioma. The surgery went without any complication. Blood pressure and urinary catecholamines were normal after the surgery. Our observation presents the particularity of the mode of discovery which is atypical, as well as the particularity of the therapeutic management, which is the laparoscopic resection of the mass.