Vagal body tumors: diagnosis and treatment

Abstract

This presentation includes a report of four vagal body tumors bringing the total number in the English literature to approximately 80. The diagnosis and treatment of this lesion, its familial incidence and the propensity for multiple secreting or nonsecreting chemodectomas, and appropriate clinical and pathologic studies required will be reviewed in some detail. Appropriate differential diagnostic features will be illustrated by comparison of these tumors with other primary vagal tumors from our experience such as neurofibromas, neurilemmomas, and cystic degeneration of neurilemmomas.

Large Cervical Vagus Nerve Tumor in a Patient with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 Treated with Gross Total Resection: Case Report and Review of the Literature

“…12 Occasionally, they can cause cranial neuropathies by direct compression on CN IX, XI, and XII or a Horner syndrome via superior cervical ganglion compression. 6,8,13,14 They are generally asymptomatic until they are large enough to cause discomfort or disfigurement. About one-half of neurofibromas present with pain.…”

A rare case of familial carotid body tumor in a patient with bilateral fibromuscular dysplasia

“…Although CBTs can cause hoarseness and Horner's syndrome from direct pressure on the vagus or sympathetic nerves, CBTs are most often painless and asymptomatic. 3,4 Surgical resection remains the preferred treatment for CBTs. 5 However, CBTs larger than 5 cm have a 67% risk of increased morbidity and mortality resulting from damage to nearby vessels and nerves.…”

Nerve-sparing subcapsular resection of head and neck schwannomas: technique evaluation and literature review

“…They appear to push the nerve axons aside as they grow, and can often be dissected free, with preservation of the nerve of origin. 5 Variable neural function preservation rates have been reported. 6 Although preservation of function following sympathetic chain schwannoma resection has been described, an interruption of the sympathetic pathway may occur, with the secondary development of Horner's syndrome.…”