Left lateral-aortic paraganglioma in an adolescent: A rare case report

Paraganglioma is a rare neuroendocrine tumor arising outside the adrenal gland from the primitive neural crest cells. The pediatric form is an exceptional entity. Here we report a case of a 15-year-old boy presenting with hypertensive crisis. Computed tomography scan revealed a left lateral-aortic paraganglioma, with significantly elevated plasmatic catecholamine levels. Preoperative management was conducted in our patient with selective alpha-1 blockers, then complete resection of the tumor was achieved without complications. The histological and immunohistochemical examination confirmed the diagnosis of a paraganglioma. Paranganglioma management should be started as soon as possible to prevent high blood pressure complications. It is based on preoperative medication with alpha-blocker to prevent adrenegeric discharge, followed by a complete and safe surgical removal of the tumor. Functional paraganglioma remains a rare entity among pediatric population. Preoperative management is mandatory to avoid postoperative morbidity. •A rare case of lateral-aortic paraganglioma in an adolescent which is rarely reported in the literature and which is the first Moroccan case to our knowledge.•Our experience in the management of functional paraganglioma in an adolescent boy.•The importance of pre operative management to prevent post operative morbidity.