Paraganglioma Arising from Retroperitoneum, Mediastinum

A paraganglioma that arises from the Retroperitoneum, mediastinum is an extra-adrenal form of pheochromcytoma. Extra-adrenal pheochromocytomas can occur at any site in the abdomen where chromaffin tissue is located and have been found in the paravertebral ganglia, the organ of Zuckerkandl, and the urinary bladder. An extra-adrenal pheochromocytomas can arise from a collection of para-aortic, paraganglion cells located at the origin of the inferior mesenteric artery, This collection of paraganglia was first described in fetuses by Zuckerkandl in 1901 and has subsequently been referred to as the organ of Zuckerkandl. Extra-adrenal pheochromocytoma generally secrete norepinephrine, not epinephrine, because there is an absence of the enzyme phenyl- ethanolamine-N-methyl transferase. Therefore symptoms are related to the production of norepinephrine. Extra-adrenal pheochromocytomas pursue a more aggressive course than their adrenal counterparts. It was found to metastasize in approximately 20% to 40% of cases, compared with only a 2% to 10% rate of metastasis in all adrenal tumors. We report on a three case of paragangliomas that had a functional and non-functional paraganglioma of the organ of Zuckerkandl and a case of a non-functional paraganglioma of the posterior mediastinum.

A Case of Anal Fistula Which Has an External Opening in Thigh

Infection of the anal glands is the most common cause of anorectal abscess. Ductal obstruction may result in stasis, infection, and abscess formation. Drainage of the abscess through the perianal skin, whether spontaneous or operative, may lead to a fistula. the fistula in the fascial or fatty planes, especially within the intersphincteric space, located between the internal and the external sphincter extending into the ischiorectal fascia. Fistulas are usually divided into four main anatomic categories as described by Parks and colleagues in 1976.(1,2) The most commonly occurring is the intersphincteric fistula, constituting 70% of all anal fistulas. The infectious process starting from its origin passes directly downward to the anal margin, but there are some variants of these type of fistulas that are less common and more complex to treat. Transsphincteric (25%), suprasphincteric (4%), and extrasphincteric (1%) fistulas constitute the remaining 30% of other anal fistulas those are not intersphincteric. Extrasphincteric fistula is rare and difficult to treat. It begins from the perineal skin penetrating directly downward to the rectal wall above the levator ani. The tract it forms is completely outside the sphincteric apparatus. There are numerous causes to anal fistulas, including trauma, carcinoma, and Crohn's disease. We report a rare case of a 46 year old male patient with anal fistula which has a long abnormal course and an external opening in thigh. The patient suffered from pain on the external opening for 3 years, with dirty discharge.