Paraganglioma of the renal pelvis: a case report and review of literature.

PURPOSE: Paraganglioma, a kind of pheochromocytoma originating from embryonic neural crest, is a rare neuroendocrine neoplasm commonly located at extra-adrenal areas such as head, neck, and abdomen. There are a few reports on renal paragangliomas; fewer than 5 reported cases are renal pelvic paragangliomas, including our case.

METHODS

Our patient, who had not experienced headache, hypertension, or palpitation, was founded to have a fixed mass in the left renal pelvis incidentally. Ultrasonography and computed tomography (CT) demonstrated a heterogeneous mass before surgery, and histopathologic test subsequently revealed that the infrequent mass was paraganglioma.

RESULTS

During 6 months follow-up, ultrasonography and CT examinations showed no signs of recurrence or metastasis.

CONCLUSIONS

The present case report confirms surgery as the standard to treat patients with paraganglioma. We present this case to serve as a reminder of suspected paraganglioma when it has occurred in renal pelvis.