Cervical ganglioneuroma in collision with a metastatic undifferentiated carcinoma

Rationale: Ganglioneuromas are benign neoplasm of neuroblastic origin which arise from central or peripheral parts of the autonomic nervous system. They are normally found at posterior mediastinum, retroperitoneum, and the adrenal gland but ganglioneuromas are rarely found in the cervical region. Patient concerns: A 12-year-old boy was admitted with a left-lateral neck mass slow growing over a 7-days duration. The tumor was painless and was not associated with any systemic or compression-related symptoms. No symptoms of Horner's syndrome, including ptosis, myosis, ipsilateral facial anhidrosis, and flushing, were observed. Laboratory routine tests were within normal limits, and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a solid and well-circumscribed mass in the carotid space. Diagnosis: Due to the patient's symptoms, laboratory test results together with radiographic investigation findings, the 12 years old boy was diagnosed with cervical ganglioneuroma combined with tetralogy of Fallot. Interventions: Surgical excision. Outcomes: The postoperative period was uneventful with the exception of Horner's syndrome on the left side in short period, and it was finally resolved after 8 months recovery. The patient is now in stable condition after operation, with improvement in symptoms during follow-up recovery. Lessons: Ganglioneuromas should be accounted as the differential diagnosis of pediatric soft tissue tumors of the head and neck. The diagnosis for ganglioneuromas in cervical region can only be ascertained with postoperative pathologic examination, and excision is considered as the only effective treatment modality known so far which may cause Horner's syndrome at times. However, patients have a favorable prognosis without recurrence overall.

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Massive ganglioneuroma of the parapharyngeal space in a pediatric patient: a case report

Jayavelu

Anderson

Low

et al. 2022

Egypt J Otolaryngol

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Background Neuroblastic tumors arise from primitive sympathetic ganglion cells and are the most common extracranial solid tumor of childhood. Ganglioneuroma is the most well-differentiated, benign subtype and comprises less than 1% of all soft tissue tumors. One to 5% of these occur in the head and neck, including the parapharyngeal space. It is uncommon to find a physically detectable, neoplastic parapharyngeal space mass in a child. Case report A 7-year-old boy presented with a painless left neck mass. Imaging revealed a 2.6 × 2.7 × 6.1 cm left parapharyngeal space mass. Fine-needle aspiration suggested a ganglioneuroma. The patient developed compressive symptoms, notably pain, thus the decision was made to surgically resect. The tumor was excised transcervically, preserving the great vessels, phrenic and cranial nerves. Postoperatively, the patient developed a mild ipsilateral Horner’s syndrome, suggesting the mass to be a ganglioneuroma of the sympathetic chain. Conclusions Cervical ganglioneuromas typically present as slow-growing masses that cause compressive symptoms or are found incidentally. Resection is reserved for those with significant symptoms and is often complicated by Horner’s syndrome. In the review of literature, there are 23 reported cases of ganglioneuroma in the head/neck with a median age of 17 years. Eight of these occurred in the para/retropharyngeal spaces. Of these, five presented as an asymptomatic neck mass, two presented with compressive symptoms, and one was discovered incidentally. It is important to consider ganglioneuroma in the workup of pediatric neck masses, even in young children. Asymptomatic masses should be monitored for symptomatic transformation, and excision should be considered.

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Cervical ganglioneuroma in collision with a metastatic undifferentiated carcinoma

Cited by 3 publications

References 12 publications

A case of cervical ganglioneuroma incidentally detected during surgery for oral cancer

A case of cervical ganglioneuroma incidentally detected during surgery for oral cancer

Cervical ganglioneuroma

Massive ganglioneuroma of the parapharyngeal space in a pediatric patient: a case report

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