A case of ganglioneuroma of the ureter and review of the literature

Abstract

Ganglioneuroma is a rare tumor originating from neural crest tissue of the sympathetic nervous system. We report on an approximately 55-year-old woman who was admitted to hospital with abdominal pain. Surgery revealed a tumor in her right ureter, which was pathologically confirmed as a ganglioneuroma. The patient underwent transabdominal total hysterectomy, bilateral adnexal resection, release of pelvic and intestinal adhesions, right ureteroscopy, right ureter retrograde intubation, right ureteral lesion excision, and ureteral anastomosis. A literature review indicated that most ganglioneuromas are benign tumors. Clinicians may consider total or subtotal tumor resection, depending on the tumor location and patient's condition. The patient's clinical condition may improve after surgery combined with periodic long-term follow-up.

Keywords: Ganglioneuroma; case report; hysterectomy; immunohistochemistry; tumor resection; ureter.

Figure 1.

Histopathology of ganglioneuroma (original magnification 10 × 10; hematoxylin and eosin). Ganglion cells are present the in hyperplastic nerve fiber bundle.

Figure 2.

Histopathology of the ovary (original magnification 10 × 10; hematoxylin and eosin). The green arrow indicates formation of white bodies in the ovary medulla after menopause, and the red arrow indicates thick-walled vessels in the medulla. No ganglioneuromas were found.