Non-Secretory Gallbladder Paraganglioma: An Incidental Finding on Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Paraganglioma is a rare form of tumor, with secretory and non-secretory variants. Due to the rare nature of gallbladder paraganglioma (GP), there are no definitive guidelines for management. We present the case of a 35-year-old female patient who presented with intermittent right upper quadrant abdominal pain. Preoperative imaging indicated the presence of gallstones within the gallbladder lumen. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed, with pathology findings consistent with a paraganglioma. The gallbladder is a rare location to find paraganglionic tissue, with its rarity posing diagnostic challenges with a lack of clear differentiating criteria between benign paraganglionic tissue (paraganglionic rests) and benign paraganglioma tumors. Given the rare nature of this condition and the lack of definitive guidelines related to its diagnosis and management, additional documentation and awareness may assist other medical professionals in recognizing and treating paraganglionic tissue found in atypical sites with more clinical confidence.