Gallbladder Paraganglioma: A Case Report With Review of the Literature

Abstract

We report a case of gallbladder paraganglioma that was discovered during nonrelated surgery. Retrospective study disclosed a family history of pheochromocytoma. The occurrence of gallbladder paraganglioma in the presence of family history of endocrine neoplasia supports that gallbladder paraganglioma may indeed occur as a part of the multiple endocrine neoplasm syndrome. Gallbladder paraganglioma is a rare tumor, and so far to our knowledge only 6 cases have been reported in the literature. Three cases were discovered incidentally during cholecystectomy for cholelithiasis, 2 presented with right upper quadrant pain, and 1 manifested with gastrointestinal bleeding. We herein review all reported cases of paraganglioma of gallbladder and biliary system.

Primary Paraganglioma of the Lung: A Case Report and Literature Review

“…30 In contrast, endocrine nonfunctional tumours typically lack clinical manifestations and are J-J Zhang, T Liu and F Peng Primary pulmonary paraganglioma J-J Zhang, T Liu and F Peng Primary pulmonary paraganglioma often discovered by chance. 1 Two masses were found in the left lung of the present case, with the larger one closer to the left atrium and pulmonary veins. The lesions were homogeneous and had no cystic degeneration or calcification.…”

“…Paragangliomas, also known as extraadrenal pheochromocytomas, are rare tumours that arise from the chromaffin cells of sympathetic and parasympathetic ganglia. 1 Paragangliomas account for 5 -10% of pheochromocytomas and can occur in any position between the neck and the base of the pelvis. 2 Extra-adrenal retroperitoneal paraganglia are usually chromaffin positive and usually associated with the sympathetic system.…”

“…2 Extra-adrenal retroperitoneal paraganglia are usually chromaffin positive and usually associated with the sympathetic system. 1,2 Paragangliomas in the head, neck and mediastinum are usually associated with the parasympathetic system, and are chromaffin negative, i.e. they do not secrete catecholamines and do not, therefore, present with episodic hypertension.…”

“…they do not secrete catecholamines and do not, therefore, present with episodic hypertension. 1 Extra-adrenal pheochromocytomas are more likely to be malignant than adrenal tumours. 3,4 The presence of local invasion is an indicator of tumour malignancy but the correct diagnosis is usually made after the appearance of metastases of chromaffin tissue at sites where chromaffin tissue is not usually observed.…”

Gallbladder Paraganglioma Associated with SDHD Mutation: a Potential Pitfall on 18F-FDOPA PET Imaging

“…A genetic etiology for PGL in the gallbladder has only twice been reported and associated with a RET gene mutation [6,7]. To the best of our knowledge, gallbladder PGL associated with an SDHx mutation has not been reported in the past [3][4][5][6][7][8][9]. SDHx genes encode the four subunits of SDH complex c).…”