Laparoscopic surgery for adrenal ganglioneuroma: Case report and literature review

Abstract

Ganglioneuromas (GN) are benign and well-differentiated tumors originated from the sympathetic chain of the neural crest. They can affect any part of the body along the autonomic ganglia, however the two most common sites of presentation are in the retroperitoneal space (32-52%) and posterior mediastinum (39-43%), followed by the cervical region (8-9%) [6]. They are most common in children and young adults, but can occur at any age. They have a greater predilection for females (3:1). They are usually asymptomatic and when present, clinical manifestations are symptoms of compression (epigastric pain, abdominal pain). Most adrenal ganglioneuromas do not have endocrine production, but up to 30% of tumors can secrete testosterone or catecholamines.