Left lateral-aortic paraganglioma in an adolescent: A rare case report

Paraganglioma is a rare neuroendocrine tumor arising outside the adrenal gland from the primitive neural crest cells. The pediatric form is an exceptional entity.

Here we report a case of a 15-year-old boy presenting with hypertensive crisis. Computed tomography scan revealed a left lateral-aortic paraganglioma, with significantly elevated plasmatic catecholamine levels. Preoperative management was conducted in our patient with selective alpha-1 blockers, then complete resection of the tumor was achieved without complications. The histological and immunohistochemical examination confirmed the diagnosis of a paraganglioma.

Paranganglioma management should be started as soon as possible to prevent high blood pressure complications. It is based on preoperative medication with alpha-blocker to prevent adrenegeric discharge, followed by a complete and safe surgical removal of the tumor.

Functional paraganglioma remains a rare entity among pediatric population. Preoperative management is mandatory to avoid postoperative morbidity.