Retroperitoneal Functional Paraganglioma: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Retroperitoneal paragangliomas are rare neuroendocrine tumors. They are defined as extra-adrenal chromaffin tumors and account for around 1/5th of all chromaffin tumors. They are often asymptomatic and can reach significant dimensions. We report the case of a 52-year-old female patient who presented with abdominal pain. Thoraco-abdomino-pelvic computed tomography (TAP CT) showed a right retroperitoneal tumor, urinary methoxylates were elevated. After adequate pharmacological preparation, the patient underwent surgery without complications. Blood pressure and urinary catecholamines were normal after surgery.