Retroperitoneal Paraganglioma Involving the Renal Hilum: A Case Report and Literature Review

A 27-year-old female with past medical history of hypertension presented to Urology clinic for evaluation of a right renal mass discovered incidentally by her Obstetrician on renal ultrasound obtained for work-up of her refractory hypertension. Her hypertension was uncontrolled despite being on a low-sodium diet, hydrochlorothiazide 50 mg daily and lisinopril 10 mg daily. Review of systems was notable for occasional headaches and blurry vision. She had regular annual physicals and negative pap smear with her Obstetrician, and reported no prior surgical history. Her family history was significant for hypertension diagnosed at a young age in both her brother and mother but otherwise no known malignancies. Social history was significant for social consumption of alcoholic beverages but no tobacco nor illicit drug use. Upon initial evaluation, a computed tomography of abdomen and pelvis with and without intravenous contrast demonstrated a 2.7 x 2.5 cm well-circumscribed soft tissue mass with enhancement medial to the right kidney and embedded within the renal hilum (see Fig. 1). No calcifications or fat were noted. The left kidney was unremarkable. No other intra-abdominal masses or lymphadenopathy were identified, and a staging chest X-ray was negative for any suspicious lesions.