A rare case of ganglioneuroma of the adrenal gland - A case report

Ganglioneuromas are benign tumors of the sympathetic nervous system that rarely arise in the adrenal gland. Majority of cases are detected incidentally since they are usually asymptomatic. Ganglioneuromas are commonly seen in childhood. They are highly differentiated benign tumors and are compatible with long-term disease free survival. Retroperitoneal localization is relatively frequent for these tumors. Case Report - A 22 year old female with history of right loin pain since 4 months, on physical examination patient general condition good , mass palpable 6 cm below the right costal margin. CECT and MRI showed 14X 11cm right adrenal mass with inferior displacement of right kidney and encasement of surrounding vascular structures, preoperative usg guided biopsy suggestive of ganglioneuroma. Exploratory laparotomy was done and right adrenal tumour excision done .Post operative histopathologic examination again consistent with ganglioneuroma.Conclusions -Ganglioneuroma occurs rarely in adrenal gland and preoperative diagnosis is difficult since symptoms are usually nonspecific. Due to widespread utilization of abdominal imaging, however, it should be included in differential diagnosis of adrenal or retroperitoneal mass. Histopathologic examination is currently the mainstay of diagnosis.