Occult ganglioneuroma with diarrhea: localization by venous catecholamines.

Abstract

Neural crest tumors can be complicated by secretory diarrhea mediated by vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). An eight-month-old male with a several-month history of secretory diarrhea is described. Elevated urine vanillylmandelic acid (VMA), total urine catecholamines, and plasma VIP indicated that a neural crest tumor was responsible for his protracted diarrhea. An extensive search for the tumor including CT scans of his head, neck, thorax, abdomen, and pelvis was unrevealing. A selective vena caval catheterization showed elevated catecholamines in a sample obtained above the renal veins. Subsequent laparotomy disclosed a benign ganglioneuroma arising from the left adrenal; the diarrhea resolved after its removal. Selective venous sampling proved useful in establishing the tumor's location where other techniques had been unsuccessful.

• Authors: A J Schuman, A J Alario, P A Pitel
• Journal: Medical and pediatric oncology (Med Pediatr Oncol) Vol. 12 Issue 2 Pg. 93-6 ( 1984) ISSN: 0098-1532 [Print] United States
• PMID: 6700549 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Catecholamines
• Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide

Topics

• Adrenal Gland Neoplasms (blood, complications, diagnosis)
• Catecholamines (blood)
• Diarrhea, Infantile (etiology)
• Ganglioneuroma (blood, complications, diagnosis)
• Humans
• Infant
• Male
• Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (blood)
• Vena Cava, Inferior