Giant Thoracic Ganglioneuroma with Mass Effect: A Case Report

Abstract

Thoracic ganglioneuromas are exceedingly rare. They arise from neural crest cells. These tumors are mostly asymptomatic, but massive tumors can present symptoms related to locoregional compression like dyspnea or scoliosis. We report a case of thoracic paravertebral giant ganglioneuroma in a 12-year-old child presenting as a large intrathoracic mass in the posterior mediastinum with intimate contact with the dorsal spine. That masse causes skeletal deformity and scoliosis. Scoliosis secondary to ganglioneuroma is rare and there is no report on its incidence. The diagnosis was made on a CT-guided tarnsparietal biopsy. Our intent is to highlighting the difficulties that may occur during the diagnosis of such patients, especially in view of the unusual clinical signs and the large size of the tumor. As well as the management of paravertebral ganglioneuroma associated with scoliosis, especially in the preoperative phase. CASE REpORTCheck for updates and analysis of the case improved the knowledge of this tumor. ObservationA 12-year-old child without a medical history significant, had been presented witha progressive shortness of breath without other respiratory or extra respiratory associated signs. The child had no loss of weight, and his appetite was good. The clinical examination objectified the presence of a scoliosis attitude and a condensation syndrome of the right hemithorax, there were no abnormalities on nervous system examination.A chest X -ray revealed a large round opacity occu-

Large posterior mediastinal ganglioneuroma with intradural cervical spine extension: A rare case report and review of literature

“…They can develop anywhere along the sympathetic chain from the skull base to the pelvis, although the most usually afflicted areas are the posterior mediastinum, retroperitoneum, and adrenal gland [ 3 ]. These tumors are typically asymptomatic and develop to a considerable size; however, depending on the location of the tumor, symptoms may occur from loco-regional compression [ 4 ]. Although there have been reports of ganglioneuromas with spinal extension, intradural extramedullary ganglioneuromas are exceedingly rare [ 5 ].…”