An undiagnosed non functioning retroperitoneum paraganglioma, complicating a gynaecological surgery; a case report
Paragangliomas are uncommon tumors arising from the neuroendocrine elements (chief cells) of the paraganglia and symmetrically distributed along the aorta in close association with the sympathetic chain. Although functional tumors are easier to diagnose due to the clinical findings caused by excess...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Faculty of Medicine, International Islamic University Malaysia
2010
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://irep.iium.edu.my/357/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/357/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/357/1/An_Undiagnosed_Non_Functioning_Retroperitoneum_%281%29.pdf |
| Summary: | Paragangliomas are uncommon tumors arising from the neuroendocrine elements (chief cells) of the paraganglia
and symmetrically distributed along the aorta in close association with the sympathetic chain. Although functional tumors are easier to diagnose due to the clinical findings caused by excess secretion of catecholamines and an elevation of the urinary catecholamine levels, however the diagnosis of nonfunctioning paraganglioma of the retroperitoneum is diffi cult and only few cases have been made before exploratory laparotomy.
Although our patient was initially planned and operated by our gynaecological team, the incidental
fi ndings had to involve the general surgeons. She is fortunate that the tumour did not show any features of
malignancy nor metastasis, however a long time follow up is needed in case of any possible recurrence. |
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