An unusual case of duodenal obstruction-gangliocytic paraganglioma

Abstract

Gangliocytic paragangliomas are rare tumors located in the gastrointestinal tract that are considered to be benign. They are composed of spindle-shaped cells, epithelioid cells, and ganglion-like cells. They usually present with abdominal pain, and/or gastrointestinal bleeding, and occasionally with obstructive jaundice. We report a case of obstruction in a 17-year-old female, which on histology was found to be a gangliocytic paraganglioma, with an extremely unusual presentation. Intraoperatively, the patient was found to have local tumor extension and regional lymph node invasion, and so she underwent a pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy, with local lymph node clearance. We discuss the management of this unusual case and review the literature.