A rare case of extra-adrenal pheochromocytoma localized to the ovary and detected via abdominal computed tomography angiography

Extra-adrenal pheochromocytomas are rare tumors that originate from the chromaffin tissue of the sympathetic nervous system. Ovarian extra-adrenal pheochromocytoma is even more rare. The present study reports a rare case of an extra-adrenal pheochromocytoma that was localized to the right ovary, but was gynecologically asymptomatic. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) detected the tumor and indicated that it was well defined, highly vascularized and obtained its blood supply from the right ovarian artery. This is the second case of ovarian extra-adrenal pheochromocytoma reported in the literature, and the first description of the CTA manifestations in the ovary. Gynecologists and radiologists should consider the possibility that an ovarian mass could be an extra-adrenal pheochromocytoma, which would allow time to prepare appropriately for the surgical removal of the mass.