Paediatric Paraganglioma with Variant of Unknown Significance on Genetic Testing

Introduction: Sympathetic paragangliomas (PGLs) are rare neuroendocrine tumours originating from chromaffin cells, primarily in the thorax, abdomen, and pelvis. Paediatric PGLs are particularly uncommon, but they represent a notable cause of secondary hypertension in children. These...

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Main Authors: Jia Ling Ong, Diluka Pinto, Reshma Rajeev, Rajeev Parameswaran
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Karger Publishers 2025-01-01
Series:Case Reports in Oncology
Online Access:https://karger.com/article/doi/10.1159/000543615
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author Jia Ling Ong
Diluka Pinto
Reshma Rajeev
Rajeev Parameswaran
author_facet Jia Ling Ong
Diluka Pinto
Reshma Rajeev
Rajeev Parameswaran
author_sort Jia Ling Ong
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Sympathetic paragangliomas (PGLs) are rare neuroendocrine tumours originating from chromaffin cells, primarily in the thorax, abdomen, and pelvis. Paediatric PGLs are particularly uncommon, but they represent a notable cause of secondary hypertension in children. These tumours frequently have a genetic basis, with up to 40% of patients carrying germline mutations, including variants of unknown significance (VUS), which present diagnostic and management challenges. Case Presentation: In this case report, we describe a 10-year-old male who presented with seizures and hypertensive crisis, later diagnosed with a functional PGL. Biochemical tests confirmed elevated catecholamines, and imaging revealed a 3 cm para-aortic tumour. Genetic testing identified a heterozygous mutation in the FH gene classified as VUS. Surgical resection of the tumour was curative, with no recurrence after 2 years of follow-up. Conclusion: This case underscores the complexities of interpreting VUS in paediatric PGL and highlights the need for long-term follow-up and further research into the clinical significance of these genetic findings.
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issn 1662-6575
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publishDate 2025-01-01
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series Case Reports in Oncology
spelling doaj-art-ffa78180b4114bada5ce254c1baef4312025-08-20T03:09:47ZengKarger PublishersCase Reports in Oncology1662-65752025-01-0118125526110.1159/000543615Paediatric Paraganglioma with Variant of Unknown Significance on Genetic TestingJia Ling OngDiluka PintoReshma RajeevRajeev Parameswaranhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-3318-0357 Introduction: Sympathetic paragangliomas (PGLs) are rare neuroendocrine tumours originating from chromaffin cells, primarily in the thorax, abdomen, and pelvis. Paediatric PGLs are particularly uncommon, but they represent a notable cause of secondary hypertension in children. These tumours frequently have a genetic basis, with up to 40% of patients carrying germline mutations, including variants of unknown significance (VUS), which present diagnostic and management challenges. Case Presentation: In this case report, we describe a 10-year-old male who presented with seizures and hypertensive crisis, later diagnosed with a functional PGL. Biochemical tests confirmed elevated catecholamines, and imaging revealed a 3 cm para-aortic tumour. Genetic testing identified a heterozygous mutation in the FH gene classified as VUS. Surgical resection of the tumour was curative, with no recurrence after 2 years of follow-up. Conclusion: This case underscores the complexities of interpreting VUS in paediatric PGL and highlights the need for long-term follow-up and further research into the clinical significance of these genetic findings. https://karger.com/article/doi/10.1159/000543615
spellingShingle Jia Ling Ong
Diluka Pinto
Reshma Rajeev
Rajeev Parameswaran
Paediatric Paraganglioma with Variant of Unknown Significance on Genetic Testing
Case Reports in Oncology
title Paediatric Paraganglioma with Variant of Unknown Significance on Genetic Testing
title_full Paediatric Paraganglioma with Variant of Unknown Significance on Genetic Testing
title_fullStr Paediatric Paraganglioma with Variant of Unknown Significance on Genetic Testing
title_full_unstemmed Paediatric Paraganglioma with Variant of Unknown Significance on Genetic Testing
title_short Paediatric Paraganglioma with Variant of Unknown Significance on Genetic Testing
title_sort paediatric paraganglioma with variant of unknown significance on genetic testing
url https://karger.com/article/doi/10.1159/000543615
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AT dilukapinto paediatricparagangliomawithvariantofunknownsignificanceongenetictesting
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AT rajeevparameswaran paediatricparagangliomawithvariantofunknownsignificanceongenetictesting