A Rare Tumor in a Rare Location: Ganglioneuroma

Abstract

Ganglioneuroma is a rare benign tumor Neuronagliomas of the adrenal gland are a rare pathology. Therefore, this case will be of interest to urologists, surgeons, oncologists , and pathologists. Located in the adrenal gland (20%), along the sympathetic chain , and particularly in the posterior mediastinum (40 %) and the retroperitoneum (30%). Ganglioneuroma poses a positive diagnostic and therapeutic problem. We report the case of a patient aged 48 ad mitted for pain in the right hypochondrium. He had no significant past medical or surgical history. On a physical examination , there were no noticeable findings except for mild tenderness and a mass on palpation. He underwent abdominal CT, which show ed a relatively homogenous right adrenal tumor measurin g. Endocrine work-up including urine catecholamine and cortisol levels was normal. Due to the tumor size and with consideration of the differential diag nosis of a malignant lesion , we elected to operate on the patient. Right adrenalectomy was performed, with no related complication s . The final histopathologic report revealed adrenal ganglioneuroma. Although benign , the ganglioneuroma can present malignant aspects, in particular , CT scans and biological that can mislead the clinician, so histology remains the examination of choice for making the diagnosis.