Abdominal paragangliomas: a quantitative prognostic score as predictive factor of the feasibility of the laparoscopic approach

Management of a Left Lateral Aortic Paraganglioma During Pregnancy: A Rare Case Report

Paragangliomas are rare neuroendocrine tumors mostly diagnosed in young adults. Their association with pregnancy is even rarer, and their impact is even more serious in the absence of adequate management, which may vitally involve maternal and fetal prognosis. In this report, we present a rare case of a left lateral aortic paraganglioma in a pregnant woman in her third trimester during her 31 weeks of gestation, who consulted for a hypertensive peak; the methoxylated derivatives were positive. An abdominal MRI showed a left lateral aortic mass, suggesting a paraganglioma. After a multidisciplinary discussion, the patient underwent laparoscopic surgical resection of the mass after preoperative medical preparation. Pathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of paraganglioma. The overall stay was six days without any short-term complications, including anything related to fetal viability, with a vaginal delivery at 37 weeks of amenorrhea. The patient was followed up for six months with no complications. We highlight the importance of preoperative medical preparation followed by surgical resection in the framework of a multidisciplinary consultation for an improved maternal-fetal prognosis.

Long-term outcomes of abdominal paraganglioma

Purpose

Paragangliomas (PGL) are rare neuroendocrine tumors derived from chromaffin cells of the autonomic nervous system. We aim to describe our experience and the long-term outcome of abdominal PGL over the last decade.

Methods

A retrospective review of patients diagnosed with PGL in our hospital between November 2005 and June 2017 was conducted. All nonabdominal PGL were excluded and the clinicopathological features and long-term outcomes of the patients were analyzed.

Results

A total of 46 patients were diagnosed with abdominal PGL. The average age of diagnosis was 55.4 years and there was no sex predilection. The average tumor size was 5.85 cm and they were predominantly located in the infrarenal position (50%). The mean follow-up period was 42 months (range, 1.8–252 months). All patients with metastases had Pheochromocytoma of the Adrenal Gland Scaled Score (PASS) of ≥4. One patient presented with synchronous metastases while 2 developed local recurrence and distant metastases. One presented with only local recurrence. One patient died 5 years after diagnosis.

Conclusion

Abdominal PGL is a rare tumor with excellent long-term prognosis. Recurrence although uncommon, can occur decades after initial diagnosis. Long-term follow-up is therefore recommended for all patients with PGL, especially in patients with PASS of ≥4.

Approach to the Patient: Perioperative Management of the Patient with Pheochromocytoma or Sympathetic Paraganglioma

Pheochromocytomas and sympathetic paraganglioma (PPGL) are rare chromaffin cell tumors originating in the adrenal medulla and sympathetic paraganglia, respectively, which share the capacity to synthesize and release catecholamines. The incidence of PPGL has increased in recent years. Surgical resection is the only curative treatment for PPGL. Management of patients with PPGL is complex and should be done by a specialized multidisciplinary team in centers with broad expertise. Surgical resection of a PPGL is a high-risk procedure for which optimal pretreatment with antihypertensive drugs is required in combination with state-of-the-art surgical procedures and anesthesiological techniques. In this article we discuss the underlying evidence and the pros and cons of presurgical medical preparation. Finally, the areas of uncertainty and controversies in this field are addressed.

Laparoscopic Resection of a Non-functional, Extra-adrenal Paraganglioma: A Case Report and Literature Review

Non-functional, extra-adrenal, retroperitoneal paraganglioma is a rare, neuroendocrine, and potentially malignant tumor. Its diagnosis and treatment may be challenging. A 69-year-old female patient was admitted because of a left para-aortic, solid, 4.4-cm mass, incidentally discovered during abdominal ultrasonography for screening purposes. Her clinical examination was unremarkable. Preoperative differential diagnosis based on cross-sectional imaging included tumor of neuroendocrine or mesenchymal origin. Hormonal investigation with 24-hour urinary catecholamines and metanephrines and plasma-fractionated metanephrines was in the normal range. Following consultation with the endocrinologist and anesthesiologist, the tumor was removed by using the three-dimensional (3D) laparoscopic transperitoneal surgical approach. The perioperative course was uneventful and the patient was discharged on the third postoperative day. Histopathologic findings were consistent with the diagnosis of retroperitoneal extra-adrenal paraganglioma of 5 cm in maximum diameter.

Open surgery for pheochromocytoma: Current indications and outcomes from a retrospective cohort

Introduction:

Minimally invasive approaches are the current standard of care for pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma (PC/PG) surgery. However, a number of patients still undergo open surgery for these tumors. We evaluated the current indications and outcomes of open surgery for PC/PG to define the role of this approach.

Methods:

Data of patients undergoing PC/PG surgery between July 2008 and July 2017 were retrieved from our prospectively maintained electronic database and hospital records. Tumor characteristics, operative and recovery parameters, and complications were evaluated for indications of open procedure and outcomes.

Results:

During the study period, 106 patients underwent 124 procedures for PC/PG, including 18 simultaneous bilateral procedures. Surgeries included 102 adrenalectomies, 18 PG excisions, one partial adrenalectomy, and three partial cystectomies. Twenty-five (23.6%) patients (mean age 38.2 ± 16.1 years) underwent an open procedure, including four bilateral procedures. This included 16 adrenalectomies and 9 PG excisions. The indications for open surgery were unilateral large tumours (5; size 8–16, mean 11 cm), bilateral large tumours (2; size 6–10, mean 8.2 cm), retrocaval tumour extension (4), inter aortocaval PGs (8), Retro-mesenteric PG (1), concomitant procedures (3), and conversion from laparoscopy (2). Mean operative time was 217 ± 63.8 min, blood loss was 868 ± 734.2 ml, 11 patients required blood transfusion, and hospital stay was 6.44 ± 2.4 days. All these parameters were higher than for minimally invasive surgery (MIS) in this cohort. Three patients (12%) suffered a postoperative complication, and the rate of complications was not higher than MIS cohort (16%).

Conclusions:

Open surgery was most often indicated for large tumors or those located in the inter-aortocaval region. Most such procedures require large incisions and possible hepatic mobilization on the right side. The procedures can be safely completed with few complications.

Single stage hand assisted laparoscopic and trans thoracic excision of multifocal paraaortic and cardiac paragangliomas

A 26-year-old male, with a family history of Paraganglioma Syndrome 4 (PGL4) presented with an 18-month history of paroxysmal headaches, a one-month history of frequent diaphoresis, anxiety attacks and unintentional weight loss of one stone in 2 months. Physical examination and vital parameters were normal. Laboratory studies showed significant elevation of plasma normetanephrines and 3-methoxytyramine while DNA molecular analysis confirmed pathogenic mutation in the SDHB gene and genetic transmission of PGL4. Imaging studies demonstrated a left para-aortic mass in the mid-abdomen and a mediastinal paraganglioma between the root of aorta and origin of the main pulmonary artery, encroaching the right ventricle. After adequate alpha blockade, the patient underwent a combined sequential hand-assisted laparoscopic resection of the abdominal tumour followed by midline sternotomy and resection of the second lesion at the root of the aorta, complicated by the need for emergency cardiopulmonary bypass due to perforation of right ventricular wall.