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Urogenital Imaging

Ganglioneuroma, genitourinary

a benign tumour comprised of sympathetic ganglion cells, Schwann cells and collagen. It can occur sporadically at any age, or it can result from differentiation of a neuroblastoma. Most ganglioneuromas are asymptomatic. Urinary catecholamines are elevated in these patients, but hypertension is rarely seen. In some cases, ganglioneuroma may be hormonally active and secrete vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, resulting in the clinical manifestations of Verner Morrison syndrome (watery diarrhoea, hypochlorhydria, alkalosis).

The radiographic appearance of a ganglioneuroma is that of a nonspecific adrenal mass. On CT and MRI, contrast-enhancing, mass-like enlargement of the affected adrenal gland is present. It is usually oval or spherical, well-defined, and homogeneous. Haemorrhage and necrosis are uncommon. If the lesion becomes very large, the multiplanar capability of MRI is useful in distinguishing a mass of adrenal rather than renal origin.

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