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 admitted 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 showed a relatively homogenous right adrenal tumor measuring. Endocrine work-up including urine catecholamine and cortisol levels was normal. Due to the tumor size and with consideration of the differential diagnosis of a malignant lesion, we elected to operate on the patient. Right adrenalectomy was performed, with no related complications. 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.