Catecholamine-secreting paraganglioma of the pterygopalatine fossa: case report

The third reported case of a pheochromocytoma-like syndrome attributable to a catecholamine-secreting paraganglioma arising within the pterygopalatine fossa is documented. The 25-year-old, female subject was found to have raised levels of urinary catecholamines. At another center, a large vascular tumor was identified at lateral rhinotomy. Biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of paraganglioma. Tumor removal by a Fisch type-C approach to the sphenoid, parasellar region, and pterygopalatine fossa was complete and recovery uneventful.