Childhood retroperitoneal extra-adrenal paraganglioma, secretor of catecholamines, thyrocalcitonin and gastrin. An immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study
Llombart Bosch, A.; Peydro Olaya, A.; Vera Sempere, F.J.; Varo Gonzalo, J.; Nieto García, A.; Narbona Arnau, B.
Medicina Clinica 87(11): 461-464
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0025-7753 PMID: 3784648 Document Number: 278134
We present an unusual extra-adrenal paraganglioma, located in the retroperitoneal region, showing secretory activity of catecholamine, which evolved clinically with an hypertensive syndrome in a 13 years old girl. The electron microscopy confirmed the existence of neurosecretion composed by electrodense granules of a very diverse morphology. An immunohistochemical study carried out with several antibodies against APUD system hormones and other neuronal structures revealed the presence of neuron-specific enolase as well as a high content in calcitonin and gastrin. Clinically there was no metastasis, and the symptomatology (abdominal pain, hypertension and headaches) subsided following surgery. One year later the patient was free of relapse and disease.