Retroperitoneal ganglioneuroma combined with scoliosis: A case report and literature review

RATIONALE: Ganglioneuroma (GN) is a rare tumour arising from the sympathetic nervous system. GN is constantly asymptomatic, easily ignored and likely damages other organs during tumour progression. PATIENT CONCERNS: The case report involved a 21-year-old girl who was admitted to a hospital because of a computed tomography result after her pregnancy examination showed retroperitoneal tumour and scoliosis. The scoliosis was considered as a tumour complication. DIAGNOSES: The tumour was finally diagnosed as GN by pathological examination. INTERVENTIONS: We carried out surgical treatment and performed a pathological examination on postoperative tumour specimens. OUTCOMES: The patient was followed up for 19 months and did not show tumour recurrence. However, the condition of the scoliosis did not improve. LESSONS: This paper reports a case of GN with scoliosis at the same time. GN is a benign tumour consisting of cells with a special origin. GN grows extensively and leads to different complications. Presently, pathological examination after an operation is the only approach to formulate an exact diagnosis. We should consider the possibility of retroperitoneal tumour, especially GN, if a patient suffers from scoliosis with an unknown cause. Thus, CT and MRI are needed to provide additional information that would help formulate a diagnosis.