Retroperitoneal Paraganglioma: A Case of Secondary Hypertension

Abstract

A paraganglioma is a rare, slow-growing neoplasm that originates in extra-adrenal parasympathetic or sympathetic ganglia. Sympathetic paragangliomas usually secrete catecholamines and are generally located in the abdomen, while parasympathetic paragangliomas are mostly non-secreting and usually located in the neck and the base of the skull. We describe the case of a 36-year-old man in outpatient follow-up for arterial hypertension who presented with elevated levels of plasmatic and urinary noradrenaline and its metabolites. Computerized tomography scan revealed a hypervascular retroperitoneal mass adjacent to the inferior portion of the right renal artery, with heterogeneous texture, and asymmetrical renal artery caliber and kidney size (right smaller than left). Our aim is to highlight the importance of a thorough work-up on secondary causes of hypertension and how early detection and treatment of these neoplasms, paired with familial genetic studies, can help prevent morbidity and mortality.