Case Report
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World J Clin Cases. Oct 16, 2014; 2(10): 591-595
Published online Oct 16, 2014. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v2.i10.591
Bladder paraganglioma: A report of case series and critical review of current literature
Matheesha Ranaweera, Eric Chung
Matheesha Ranaweera, Eric Chung, Department of Urology, University of Queensland, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane QLD 4102, Australia
Eric Chung, St Andrew’s Pelvic Medicine Centre, St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital, Wickham Tce, Brisbane QLD 4102, Australia
Author contributions: Ranaweera M and Chung E designed and wrote the report; Chung E was responsible for proof read and final approval of submission.
Correspondence to: Eric Chung, Professor, Department of Urology, University of Queensland, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Ipswich Rd, Brisbane QLD 4102, Australia. ericchg@hotmail.com
Telephone: +61-7-33242468 Fax: +61-7-33242546
Received: May 5, 2014
Revised: July 2, 2014
Accepted: July 25, 2014
Published online: October 16, 2014
Processing time: 163 Days and 0.4 Hours
Abstract

Extra-adrenal chromaffin cell-related tumours or paragangliomas are rare, especially in the bladder. In this article, we reported three different clinical cases of bladder paraganglioma, followed by a review of current literature on the pathophysiology and management of bladder paraganglioma. Case 1 involved a 23 years old female patient who complained of a 10-year history of micturition-related headaches, palpitations and diaphoresis; while in case 2, a 58 years old female patient presented with history of painless haematuria and an incidentally diagnosis of a functioning paraganglioma during endoscopic transurethral resection of bladder tumour; and lastly in case 3, a 54 years old male renal transplant recipient was referred to the urology outpatient with a suspicious bladder mass found incidentally on routine transplant workshop.

Keywords: Bladder paraganglioma; Bladder mass; Catecholamine and its metabolites; Nuclear imaging

Core tip: Bladder paraganglioma is a rare condition and patients can present with various clinical presentations. Biochemical profiling and nuclear imaging study can assist in the identification of this lesion. Preoperative care with volume hydration and adrenergic blockade are often necessary and surgery remains the only cure for these patients.