Retroperitoneal Ganglioneuroma Presenting as Symptomatic Nephrolithiasis in A Young Adult: A Zebra Among Horses

ABSTRACT Objective: Ganglioneuromas are benign tumors, usually diagnosed and resected in childhood. They occur with a frequency of less than 0.12 per million adults and can have variable manifestations. Methods: We report the case of a young woman who presented with a ganglioneuroma that presented as symptomatic nephrolithiasis. Results: Clinically and radiologically the mass was indistinguishable from an adrenal neoplasm and ultimately histopathology led to the diagnosis of a para-adrenal ganglioneuroma. Conclusion: Given their infrequency, ganglioneuromas may have variable manifestations and may be asymptomatic or may mimic other aggressive tumors. To avoid morbidity, it is essential to have a high index of suspicion for this diagnosis based on certain clinical and radiologic characteristics even as histopathology remains the gold standard. Abbreviation: GN ganglioneuroma