SAGES Case of the Month: Presentation
Submitted by Eren Berber, MD
Laparoscopic Resection of Abdominal Paragangliomas
Background
- Paragangliomas are rare neoplasms derived from neural crest cells
- They may arise in paraganglia anywhere along the autonomic chain
- Head/neck (3%)
- Thorax (12%)
- Abdomen (85%)
- There is a paucity of experience with laparoscopic resection in the literature
- Here we present a case of laparoscopic resection of an abdominal paraganglioma
Clinical Case
- 29yo female with history of IDDM and HTN
- Hospitalized with progressive shortness of breath, weight gain, and tachycardia
- Found to be profoundly hypertensive (220/150) in florid heart failure (EF 25%)
- Diagnosis of pheochromocytoma was suspected
- CT abdomen obtained
Axial View of Mass Between Distal IVC and Aorta
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Coronal View of Mass Between Distal IVC and Aorta at Their Bifurcations
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Sagital View of Mass Adjacent to Distal Aorta

Sagital View of Mass Adjacent to Distal IVC

- Serum and urine metanephrines elevated
- Alpha and beta-blockade initiated
- Taken to the operating room for laparoscopic resection
(Have short intraoperative video to insert here)
Hospital Course
- No introperative complications
- EBL 30cc's
- Discharged POD # 3