Open AccessNon-functioning retroperitoneal abdominal schwannoma
Author(s) -
Sherif Sultan,
Nora Barrett,
Stephanie Curran,
Niamh Hynes
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
bmj case reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.231
H-Index - 26
ISSN - 1757-790X
DOI - 10.1136/bcr-2019-233371
Subject(s) - medicine , paraganglioma , laparotomy , inferior vena cava , schwannoma , abdominal aorta , radiology , adrenocortical carcinoma , metanephrines , surgery , pheochromocytoma , aorta
There are less than 150 cases of non-functioning retroperitoneal abdominal schwannoma (NRS) reported. Hormonal assay is crucial in confirming the diagnosis of NRS, as manipulation of a functional retroperitoneal paraganglioma will instigate an abrupt liberation of catecholamines, resulting in devastating consequences. We report the case of 42-year-old woman who presented with headache, night sweats and abdominal discomfort. Cross-sectional imaging demonstrated a retroperitoneal mass adherent to the aorta and inferior vena cava but biochemical testing of blood and urine was negative for metanephrines and normetanephrines. She underwent successful tumour resection via laparotomy, as location increased the complexity and risk of laparoscopic resection.