Retroperitoneal Paraganglioma – a rare cause of arterial hypertension

Abstract

Paragangliomas are rare neuroendocrine tumours, most commonly found in adults. These differ from pheochromocytomas in that their location is extra-adrenal, and they are responsible for about 1% of arterial hypertension aetiologies. We report the case of a 30-year-old female whose past medical history was unremarkable. However, her arterial hypertension led to further examination in search of secondary aetiologies, in which a retroperitoneal mass and an increase in levels of catecholamines were detected; findings that led to the final diagnosis of paraganglioma. A multidisciplinary team, whose approach was to use pharmacological alpha-adrenergic blocking agents and a surgical resection of the lesion, treated the patient. The patient is clinically well but will continue to be monitored as an outpatient, and genetic testing is being encouraged.