Pheochromocytoma and Extraadrenal Paraganglioma: Case Report and Review of the Laparoscopic Approach

Abstract

The reported percentage of catecholamine-producing tumors is around 80-85% in pheochromocytomas and 15- 20% in paragangliomas. The case of a 34-year-old female patient with a clinical, imaging and histopathological diagnosis of pheochromocytoma with paraganglioma with successful laparoscopic surgical resolution with a retroperitoneal approach is described. The cardinal symptom is uncontrolled hypertension despite medical management with multiple antihypertensives. The initial diagnostic approach is with the measurement of metanephrines in plasma and urine, if this is not conclusive, the clonidine test can be performed. With a positive laboratory result, an imaging study should be performed for localization and finally surgical resolution with a preference for the laparoscopic approach, with less risk of post-surgical complications.