Cervical Sympathetic Chain Paraganglioma: A Rare Cause of Asymmetrical Tonsillar Enlargement

Paraganglioma of the Submandibular Region

“…Paraganglioma is rare neuroendocrine tumor arising from the paraganglia of the autonomic nervous system. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7] Paraganglioma occurs in the carotid body (most common), jugular foramen, and vagus nerve in the head and neck region. 3,4,6) There have been no reports of paraganglioma in the submandibular region.…”

“…The diagnostic method for paraganglioma is radiologic examinations. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7] CT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) facilitate evaluation of the site of origin, vascularity of the lesion, extent of the lesion, and its relationship to adjacent structures. 1,3) In the CT scan, paraganglioma is markedly well contrasted.…”

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7] Surgery is the treatment of choice for the management of head and neck paraganglioma. 1,3,7) In addition, regional cervical lymph node should be included in the primary specimen to rule out the malignant transformation. 3) Small tumors can be easily removed without damage to the vascular structures or nerves, as with our patient.…”

“…3) Small tumors can be easily removed without damage to the vascular structures or nerves, as with our patient. 1,3,7) However, for large tu-A B C mors, the probability of neurovascular complications after surgery is markedly high. [1][2][3]7) Radiotherapy can be considered for unresectable tumors, high-risk patients, incompletely resected tumors, local recurrence, and metastatic lesions.…”

“…Paraganglioma is a rare benign tumor that develops from the skull base to the pelvis in the paraganglion system. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7] Paraganglioma is most common in the abdomen, followed by the chest and head and neck. 2,3,6) Paraganglioma accounts for 0.6% of the all the benign tumors affecting the head and neck region.…”