Surgical management of pancreatic ganglioneuroma in a child: case report.

Abstract

This report describes an exceptional paediatric case of a ganglioneuroma arising in the pancreatic topography, a rare condition that may mimic more aggressive neoplasms and hinder appropriate management selection. A previously healthy 7-year-old girl presented with a non-specific acute febrile syndrome, prompting an expanded diagnostic evaluation. Imaging studies revealed a well-defined solid mass adjacent to the pancreatic head, accompanied by minimal and non-contributory laboratory abnormalities. Given the persistent aetiological uncertainty and the intimate relationship of the lesion with major vascular structures, a surgical approach was indicated. Intraoperative histopathological assessment confirmed the diagnosis of ganglioneuroma, enabling conservative resection with adequate anatomical preservation. The postoperative course was uneventful, culminating in satisfactory recovery. This case highlights the importance of a structured multidisciplinary approach for guiding precise decision-making in the management of paediatric pancreatic masses.