Diarrhea in a child with a catecholamine-secreting ganglioneuroma. Case report and review of the literature

There is currently a great deal of interest in tumors of neural crest origin, such as ganglioneuromas and neuroblastomas. Many tumors of neural crest origin secrete catecholamines, and some have been associated with diarrhea, hypertension, or Cushing's syndrome. A 15-month-old boy with diarrhea and flushing in association with a catecholamine-secreting ganglioneuroma is described, and 17 previously reported cases of diarrhea in association with neurogenic tumors are summarized. Of 78 children seen at The Johns Hopkins Hospital with a histologic diagnosis of ganglioneuroma or neuroblastoma, 7 had diarrhea or hypertension as a major feature. The study of catecholamine excretion in these patients is useful in diagnosis and prognosis and should now be utilized as a routine procedure.