A Brief Study on Retroperitoneal Paraganglioma

Paragangliomas are tumors of the autonomic nervous system, located extra-adrenally, presenting inside the base of the head, chest and abdomen. They can appear as a primary retroperitoneal neoplasm when viewed inside the abdominal cavity and might resemble as vascular malformations or any other conditions same as retroperitoneal organs particularly such as pancreas, kidney. These are relatively uncommon endocrine tumors that originate from specific tissue of the paraganglion. They synthesise, store and secrete catecholamines, which can contribute to headache, sweating, palpitation and hypertension. These may be mistaken for GISTs with no histological diagnosis and symptoms of catecholamine overload (non functional). We are reporting a case of 42 yrs male with clinical features of slow backache radiating to both lower legs and with the presence of tingling sensation. Corresponding contrast enhanced CT scan shows a para – aortic mass.