[A case of endocrinologically active retroperitoneal ganglioneuroma]

A 27-year-old female complained of right upper abdominal pain. Computed tomography revealed a retroperitoneal tumor located between the right kidney and the vena cava. The preoperative value of noradrenaline in urine was high, 221.1 micrograms/day. She underwent surgery and the resected tumor was 330 g in weight and 8 x 6 x 4 cm in size. Histopathological diagnosis was ganglioneuroma. Retroperitoneal ganglioneuroma is rare and only 82 cases including our case have been reported in Japan, in recent years, adult cases are increasing in number. Endocrinological abnormalities were observed in 9 cases. Although six of the 9 patients were younger than 5 years old, the others were adults. These adult patients had no endocrinological symptoms.