Two rare cases of paraganglioma in patients with Fontan physiology

Cardiol Young. 2019 Aug;29(8):1112-1114. doi: 10.1017/S1047951119001628. Epub 2019 Jul 9.

Abstract

Pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma is an exceedingly rare tumour, thought to share an association with cyanotic CHD. This association is thought to be a result of chronic hypoxaemia (Antonio et al, Revista Española de Cardiología (English Edition) 2017; 70: 673-675; Folger et al, Circulation 1964; 29: 750-757; Opotowsky et al, J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2015; 100: 1325-1334) We report two cases of paraganglioma over a 4-year period in patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome who had undergone Fontan completion by ages 2 and 4. Based on a very small number of reported cases of CHD, the mechanism of tumourigenesis is unclear. It is imperative that cases associated with CHD continue to be reported so that we may learn more about the pathogenesis and epidemiology of this entity.

Keywords: Fontan palliation; Pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma; cyanotic CHD; hypoplastic left heart syndrome; hypoxaemia; tumourigenesis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Fontan Procedure*
  • Humans
  • Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome / surgery*
  • Male
  • Paraganglioma / diagnostic imaging*
  • Radionuclide Imaging
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Young Adult