Malignant vagal paraganglioma

J Craniofac Surg. 2014 Sep;25(5):e460-1. doi: 10.1097/SCS.0000000000001007.

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to present and discuss a new case of malignant vagal paraganglioma. A 38-year-old woman was referred for the assessment of a bilateral firm cervical mass. CT scans revealed a left cervical ovoid mass; contralaterally, a mass with a similar enhancement could be observed too. The tumor was surgically removed via a transcervical surgical approach, together with levels I to III lymph nodes. Definitive histopathological examination proved the diagnosis of malignant vagal paraganglioma with contralateral cervical lymph node metastasis. One year after surgery, a PET-CT and a scintigraphy revealed the presence of a cervical recurrence and hepatic metastasis. Three months after a second surgical intervention, the patient died. Malignant vagal paraganglioma is a rare and challenging lesion that has to be carefully assessed to plan an appropriate treatment. A strict follow-up is fundamental for an early diagnosis of eventual recurrences.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cranial Nerve Neoplasms / pathology
  • Cranial Nerve Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms / secondary
  • Lymphatic Metastasis
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / pathology
  • Paraganglioma, Extra-Adrenal / secondary
  • Paraganglioma, Extra-Adrenal / surgery*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Vagus Nerve Diseases / pathology
  • Vagus Nerve Diseases / surgery*