Neurotologic skull base surgery for glomus tumors. Diagnosis for treatment planning and treatment options

Rare presentation of vagal paraganglioma in an early age: A case report and literature review

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

Vagal paragangliomas of neck are rare tumours of neural crest origin usually arising in elderly age with female predominance. They have a vague clinical presentation therefore difficult to diagnose preoperatively. We hope that this case report and literature review would add to the existing literature and help devise a comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic plan for vagal paragangliomas.

CASE PRESENTATION

We report a case of vagal paraganglioma occurring in a 13-year-old male which is an extremely rare presentation in this age group. The patient presented with a large solitary painless progressively growing mass in posterior triangle of neck. External jugular vein was stretched and trachea was deviated medially. The mass was arising via a twig from vagus nerve and was surgically excised. Diagnosis was established post-operatively through histopathological analysis.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

Vagal paraganglioma is a rare occurrence in male teenagers and may mimic schwannoma, neuroma, jugular meningioma, or other gangliomas. Surgical excision is mainstay of treatment but resultant vagal complications and neurological consequences are usually unavoidable. Nonetheless, the prognosis may be easily improved with sound surgical judgement, skill, and routine follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Vagal paraganglioma usually presents as a swelling in neck and cannot be diagnosed on simple clinical examination. CT scan and MRI are imaging modalities of choice and can be coupled with angiography to increase diagnostic accuracy. Although both radiation therapy and surgical excision have both been found to be successful treatment options, it is still unclear which is more beneficial.

Vagal Paraganglioma: A Rare Finding in a 31-Year-Old Male

Vagal paraganglioma is a rare finding that develops from paraganglionic tissue found around the vagus nerve; it has a prevalence of 0.012% of all tumors. It is the third most common paraganglioma of the head and neck but still accounts for less than 5% of these tumors, and it has a well-established female prevalence. It is a difficult tumor to identify early based on its symptoms alone and only a thorough investigation can help solidify its diagnosis. In this report, we discuss a presentation of this phenomenon that is not only unique in its manifestation but also a very difficult diagnosis due to its deceptive presentation and multiple extensions. These masses need a good surgical regime to be removed properly and postoperative complications are very frequent in most of these cases.

Durable Response to Pazopanib in Recurrent Metastatic Carotid Body Paraganglioma

We present the case of a 26-year-old woman living at a high altitude diagnosed initially with nonfamilial and nonsecretory localized carotid body tumor managed with surgery, which developed into a recurrent metastatic tumor treated with cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and dacarbazine. The patient continued to progress and developed a left carotid artery thrombosis and worsening of her systemic symptoms. The patient was re-evaluated, and she decided on no further surgery or systemic therapy. DOTATATE positron emission tomography/computed tomography showed widespread somatostatin-avid disease involving the left carotid bulb mass, bilateral lung nodules, and liver metastases, with the largest in the right hepatic lobe measuring 8 × 7 cm. There were peripancreatic lymph nodes and scattered skeletal metastases. The patient sought a second opinion, on the basis of which she was prescribed pazopanib, to which she showed a dramatic clinical response after 1 month, followed by a durable response for 1 year. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors such as pazopanib are potentially useful in paraganglioma, with further studies needed to understand the role of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-directed kinase inhibitors in this setting.

Malignant lymphoma on parotid gland: a clinical case

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma on the parotid gland is a relatively rare occurrence among head and neck tumors. The mass of parotid gland lymphoma cannot be distinguished from other benign masses of the parotid gland; therefore, it is important to consider lymphoma in the differential diagnosis when examining parotid swellings and masses. Parotid gland lymphoma is most likely to be B-cell, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of one of three types, which include follicular, marginal zone, and diffuse large B-cell, although other histologic patterns have been described. We present a review of a patient with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) who presented to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of Pusan National University Hospital (Yangsan, Korea).

Treatment of Head and Neck Paragangliomas

Background

Commonly occurring in the head and neck, paragangliomas are typically benign, highly vascular neoplasms embryologically originating from the extra-adrenal paraganglia of the neural crest. Frequently, these tumors are associated with the vagus, tympanic plexus nerve, the carotid artery, or jugular bulb. Their clinical presentation can vary across a wide spectrum of signs and symptoms.

Methods

We reviewed and compared standard treatment approaches for paragangliomas of the head and neck.

Results

In general, surgery is the first-line choice of therapy for carotid body tumors, whereas radiotherapy is the first-line option for jugular and vagal paragangliomas.

Conclusions

Because of the complexity of clinical scenarios and treatment options for paragangliomas, a multidisciplinary algorithmic approach should be used for treating paragangliomas. The approach should emphasize single-modality treatment that yields excellent rates of tumor control, low rates of severe, iatrogenic morbidity, and the preservation of long-term function in this patient population.

Perioperative management of catecholamine-secreting glomus jugulare tumors

To treat patients with a catecholamine-secreting glomus jugulare tumor, perioperative management is important. Perioperative catecholamine hypersecretion causes severe problems in the treatment of a catecholamine-secreting glomus tumor. Therefore, a precise therapeutic strategy and perioperative management are required through collaboration of the endocrinology, anesthesiology, and endocrine surgery departments . We describe our perioperative management for catecholamine-secreting glomus jugulare tumor. The patient was a 31-year-old woman with a 50-mm glomus jugulare tumor and a significantly elevated plasma noradrenaline level of 21,165 pg/ml. Before the surgery, oral α − blocker administration was initiated for ∼ 3 months, and her body weight increased from 52 kg at the time of examination to 54.2 kg. Coil embolization of the tumor vessel was performed 1 week before surgery, and the intense tumor stain was reduced by 90%. The patient underwent almost total removal of the tumor via mastoidectomy with high cervical exposure via the transsigmoid approach. Postoperatively, plasma noradrenaline decreased markedly. Preoperative pharmacologic stabilization and peri- and postoperative anesthetic management are essential for the treatment of a catecholamine-secreting glomus jugulare tumor.

Primary parotid gland lymphoma: a case report

INTRODUCTION

Mucosa associated lymphoid tissue lymphomas are the most common lymphomas of the salivary glands. The benign lymphoepithelial lesion is also a lymphoproliferative disease that develops in the parotid gland. In the present case report, we describe one case of benign lymphoepithelial lesion with a subsequent low transformation to grade mucosa associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma appearing as a cystic mass in the parotid gland.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 78-year-old Caucasian female smoker was referred to our clinic with a non-tender left facial swelling that had been present for approximately three years. The patient underwent resection of the left parotid gland with preservation of the left facial nerve through a preauricular incision. The pathology report was consistent with a low-grade marginal-zone B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (mucosa associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma) following benign lymphoepithelial lesion of the gland.

CONCLUSIONS

Salivary gland mucosa associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cystic or bilateral salivary gland lesions. Parotidectomy is recommended in order to treat the tumor and to ensure histological diagnosis for further follow-up planning. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy should be considered in association with surgery in disseminated forms or after removal.

Long-term results of surgery for temporal bone paraganglioma

The only way to resolve the dispute about the effectiveness of surgery versus radiation therapy for glomus tympanicum and jugulare tumors is adequate long-term studies. In a retrospective study with an average follow-up period of 15 years (range 11 to 23 years) we reassessed 11 patients with glomus tympanicum tumors and 11 patients with glomus jugulare tumors. Ten of 11 patients with glomus tympanicum tumor were tumor-free after surgery. A temporary facial palsy and an external meatal wall defect were the only surgical complications. The air-bone gap postoperatively closed to within 10 dB in three patients, to within 20 dB in six patients, and to more than 30 dB in one patient. Nine of 10 patients with glomus jugulare tumor receiving complete resection were tumor-free. Less than half the patients experienced new-onset cranial nerve function loss, and all made satisfactory recovery, eliminating the need for tracheostomy or gastrostomy. In two patients, the hearing could be preserved on the preoperative level, but the majority already presented with deafness. In the long-term, surgery remains a treatment of choice for glomus tympanicum tumors. It is also an extremely effective treatment with low morbidity for glomus jugulare tumors, including those with intracranial extension.

Embolization of vascular tumors of the head and neck

Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibromas and paragangliomas are the most common hypervascular tumors of the head and neck that require embolization as an adjunct to surgery. A detailed understanding of the functional vascular anatomy of the external carotid artery is necessary for safe and effective endovascular therapy. Embolization, using a transarterial technique and particulate agents, a direct puncture technique and liquid embolic agents, or both techniques may allow for complete devascularization of hypervascular tumors of the head and neck. Effective embolization of these tumors results in a significant reduction of blood loss during surgery and allows for complete resection of the tumors. Use of meticulous technique and a thorough knowledge of functional anatomy of the head and neck vasculature are essential.

Neurotologic surgery for glomus tumors

This article reviews the important aspects of glomus tumor management. The biology and histology of these tumors are unique and have an impact on treatment strategies. Nonsurgical options, such as radiation therapy, are discussed. Surgical resection can be performed safely only after appropriate diagnostic testing is completed. Imaging and other diagnostic testing are explored. The various resection and reconstructive strategies are discussed.

Vagal paraganglioma

OBJECTIVES

To report the outcomes of surgical treatment of vagal paragangliomas and to define a management protocol.

DESIGN

A retrospective case series.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Sixteen consecutive patients with vagal paragangliomas managed by surgical resection using a cervicoparotid approach and pericapsular dissection using microsurgical techniques between 1990 and 2003.

RESULTS

All patients either had or developed a vagal palsy. Additional cranial nerve deficits were sustained in 8 patients. No patients died as a result of surgery or from their disease.

CONCLUSIONS

The technique used and described in this article allowed adequate exposure of the retrostyloid parapharyngeal space for the safe removal of all vagal tumors in this series. Careful consideration must be given to the likely natural progression of these tumors before committing to surgical resection. This is particularly important in patients with multifocal disease.

Concurrent primary Hodgkin's lymphoma and recurrent pleomorphic adenoma of the ipsilateral parotid gland: report of a rare case

The synchronous occurrence of two histologically different and morphologically distinct tumours in a single parotid gland is an exceptionally rare and probably coincidental event. We have recently experienced such a case initially suspected of being a recurrent pleomorphic adenoma. Superficial parotidectomy, however, revealed two separate masses. Postoperative histopathological examination diagnosed the presence of a pleomorphic adenoma with a concurrent primary parotid gland Hodgkin's lymphoma arising from an intraglandular lymph node. The management of this case is presented along with a brief review of the literature concerning the evaluation and management of this rare entity.

Revision lateral skull base surgery

OBJECTIVE

To describe functional and reconstructive results after revision lateral skull base surgery with comparison of benign and malignant lesions.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective case review.

SETTING

Tertiary referral center.

PATIENTS

All patients undergoing revision surgery for benign and malignant lateral skull base tumors.

INTERVENTIONS

Surgical resection of recurrent lateral skull base tumors and reconstruction of resulting defects.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Cranial nerve function postoperative complications.

RESULTS

Forty operations for recurrent lateral skull base tumors occurred between January 1, 1987, and December 31, 2003, with follow-up of at least 1 year. Thirty-three operations were for benign lesions, 27 of which were glomus tumors. Seven operations were for malignant tumors. Fifty-eight percent of patients had preoperative cranial nerve deficits (66% of benign tumors and 14% of malignancies). The most common preoperative deficit occurred in the Xth cranial nerve. Postoperative cranial nerve deficits were seen in 95% of patients and multiple nerve deficits were seen in 75%. The most common postoperative deficits were observed in the IXth and Xth cranial nerves. Thirty-one patients had one previous procedure, six had two previous procedures, and three had three previous procedures. Abdominal fat and temporoparietal fascia were the most common reconstruction materials. There was one case of meningitis, two cerebrospinal fluid leaks, and one pseudomeningocele. There was one recurrent adenoid cystic tumor resulting in death and two partially resected glomus tumors. Subsequent procedures are discussed.

CONCLUSION

Postoperative cranial deficits are more common after revision skull base surgery than after primary surgery. Complete resection without recurrence can be expected for revision skull base surgery. Modern reconstruction techniques reduce major postoperative complications and morbidity from cranial nerve deficits.

Tratamento radioterápico dos tumores glômicos do osso temporal

O tratamento dos tumores glômicos tem sido motivo de controvérsia desde sua primeira publicação, podendo ser cirúrgico, radioterápico ou apenas expectante. OBJETIVO: O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar a efetividade e as complicações do tratamento radioterápico para esses tumores. FORMA DE ESTUDO: clínico com coorte transversal. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Trata-se de uma coorte histórica de pacientes com tumor glômico jugular submetidos à radioterapia. Os critérios de controle da doença foram não haver progressão dos sintomas ou disfunção de nervos cranianos, sem aumento do tamanho da lesão ao exame físico ou controle radiológico. Avaliamos também a presença de seqüelas do tratamento. RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos 12 pacientes, sendo oito mulheres. O tempo de follow-up variou de 3 a 35 anos, com uma media de 11,6 anos. Os principais sintomas foram: hipoacusia, zumbido pulsátil e tontura ou vertigem. Os achados de exame físico mais freqüentes foram massa pulsátil retrotimpanica, paralisia facial e anacusia, sendo os tumores estadiados segundo a classificação proposta por Fisch. A radioterapia foi realizada com acelerador linear com doses variando de 4500-5500 Rads por 4-6 semanas. As seqüelas mais comuns foram a dermatite, estenose do conduto auditivo externo, anacusia e paralisia facial. DISCUSSÃO: Os sintomas e achados de exame físico e o método e dosagem da radioterapia não diferiram daqueles encontrados na literatura. Todos os pacientes tiveram melhora dos sintomas e apenas um não foi considerado como tendo controle da doença. As complicações do tratamento foram de pouca repercussão, com exceção da anacusia e da paralisia facial. CONCLUSÃO: A radioterapia é uma alternativa viável para o tratamento desses tumores pela boa resposta e baixo índice de complicações. Deve ser considerada especialmente em tumores mais avançados onde um procedimento cirúrgico pode trazer grande morbidade.

Radiation therapy for glomus tumors of the temporal bone

The treatment of glomic tumors has been controversial since its first description. It can be done with surgery, radiotherapy or just expectation.

Aim

The objective of this paper was to evaluate the effectiveness and complications of radiotherapy.

Study design

clinical with transversal cohort.

Material and Method

It was made a retrospective review in the charts of the patients with glomus jugulare tumors treated with radiotherapy. Disease control was determined by (1) no progression of symptoms or cranial nerve dysfunction or (2) no progression of the lesion in radiological follow-up. It was also evaluated the follow-up period and the sequelae of the treatment.

Results

Twelve patients were included, 8 of then women. The follow-up period was from 3 to 35 years, with a media of 11,6 years. The main symptoms were: hearing loss, pulsate tinnitus, dizziness and vertigo. The signs were pulsate retrotympanic mass, facial palsy and cofosis. The tumors were staged using Fisch's classification. The radiotherapy was performed with linear accelerator with dose ranging from 4500-5500 in 4–6 weeks. In the follow-up period were possible to identify sequelaes like dermatitis, meatal stenosis, cofosis and facial palsy.

Discussion

The signs and symptoms were the same found in the medical literature. The type and dosages of the radiotherapy were also the same of others reports. All patients had improvement of the symptoms and only one was not considered as having disease controlled. Complications were, in general, minor complications, with exception of the cofosis and facial palsy.

Conclusion

Radiotherapy is a viable alternative to treatment of these tumors because their good response and low level of complications. It should be considered specially in advanced tumors where a surgical procedure could bring a high level of morbidity.

Imaging and management of head and neck paragangliomas

Paragangliomas of the head and neck are highly vascular lesions originating from paraganglionic tissue located at the carotid bifurcation (carotid body tumors), along the vagus nerve (vagal paragangliomas), and in the jugular fossa and tympanic cavity (jugulotympanic paragangliomas). Diagnostic imaging can be considered in two clinical situations: (1) patients who present with clinical symptoms suggestive of a paraganglioma, and (2) individuals from families with hereditary paragangliomas. It is not only necessary to detect and characterize the lesion, but also to study the presence of multiplicity. For these purposes, MR imaging, and especially 3D TOF MRA, is the modality of choice. CT scanning is especially useful to show destruction of the temporal bone. Angiography in combination with embolization will mainly be used prior to surgical resection, but can also be used for diagnostic purposes when the diagnosis is not yet clear. Many parameters play a role in the decision to treat of which multifocality and impairment of cranial nerves are the most important. The primary therapeutic option for paragangliomas is complete excision of tumor with preservation of vital neurovascular structures. Resection however, should be balanced against a more conservative "wait and scan" policy or palliative treatments such as radiotherapy.

The value of MR angiography techniques in the detection of head and neck paragangliomas

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to compare three-dimensional phase-contrast angiography (3D PCA), 2D time-of-flight (2D TOF), and 3D TOF magnetic resonance (MR) angiography and a proton density weighted technique in terms of their ability to detect head and neck paragangliomas.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

14 patients with 29 paragangliomas were examined at 1.5 T. Three MR angiography sequences (3D PCA, 2D TOF, and multi-slab 3D TOF) and a proton density (PD) weighted sequence were reviewed by four neuroradiologists. The gold standard was digital subtraction angiography. Presence of tumor was assessed in five grades of confidence. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated after dichotomizing the results. Data was analyzed using the logistic regression method.

RESULTS

Mean sensitivity and specificity for the four observers were for PD: 72%/97%, for 3D PCA: 75%/90%, for 2D TOF: 66%/93%, and for 3D TOF: 90%/92%. Sensitivity was significantly better for 3D TOF MRA (P < 0.001). No substantial between-observer variation for tumor detection was present.

CONCLUSION

Our results demonstrate that, using 3D TOF MRA, paragangliomas in the head and neck region can be detected with high sensitivity and specificity. Further investigation is necessary to judge the value of 3D TOF MR angiography against fat suppressed contrast enhanced T1 weighted and fat suppressed T2 weighted MR sequences to find the optimal imaging sequence for paragangliomas.

Surgical management of parapharyngeal space masses

BACKGROUND

We sought to examine surgical techniques used to remove parapharyngeal space (PPS) masses.

METHODS

This retrospective search was conducted from 1980 to 2003. Age, sex, diagnosis, surgical approach, complications, and outcome were collected.

RESULTS

One hundred sixty-six PPS masses were identified: 21 (12.7%) were malignant, 145 (87.3%) were benign, 76 (45.8%) were vascular, and 69 (41.6 %) involved the skull base. Transcervical techniques were used in all cases. Removing the styloid and its musculature and level II lymphadenectomies enhanced exposure for vascular and skull base tumors. Thirty transcervical-transmastoid dissections (20.4%) facilitated removal of vascular skull base tumors. To identify the facial nerve, 20 transparotid-transcervical approaches (13.6%) were performed. Three mandibulotomies (2.0%) were required for internal carotid artery involvement. Expected neurologic sequelae resulted from cranial nerve involvement by tumor. Three patients (2.0%), all presenting with recurrent cancer, had local recurrences.

CONCLUSION

Careful patient assessment and surgical techniques allow the oncologically safe removal of benign, vascular, and skull base PPS tumors.

Primary salivary gland lymphoma: a clinicopathologic study of 23 cases in Taiwan

Twenty-three patients with primary salivary gland lymphoma were diagnosed between 1990 and 2001. The sites of involvement were the parotid gland in 13, the submandibular gland in 9 and the minor salivary gland in 1. The sites of lymphoma involvement beyond the salivary glands were the cervical lymph nodes in 7, bone marrow in 3, the axillary lymph nodes in 3, the nasopharynx in 2, the abdominal lymph nodes in 2, the palate, the subconjunctiva, and the spleen in 1 each patient. Histologically, 19 patients had lymphomas of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) with myoepithelial sialadenitis in 13, 3 patients had diffuse large cell lymphomas and 1 had follicular lymphoma. Six patients were in stage I, 4 in II, 1 in III and 12 in IV. Eight of 23 patients (35%) had autoimmune diseases before or after the diagnosis of NHL and all suffered from MALT lymphoma. Four patients with parotid MALT lymphoma had primary or secondary Sjogren's syndrome. One each patient suffered from hyperthyroidism, systemic lupus erythematosus, membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis and cryoglobulinemia, respectively. All the 6 stage I patients had achieved complete remission (CR) without relapses 17-84 months (median 44 months) after treatment. Excluding a stage IV patient with follicular lymphoma who died at 3.5 months without treatment, CR was achieved in all of the remaining 16 patients. However, a high relapse rate (9/16, 56%) was noted in stage II-IV patients. These patients tended to relapse in the original sites, but achieved CR again after chemotherapy or radiotherapy. One patient with MALT lymphoma developed histologic transformation into diffuse large lymphoma during relapse and died of refractory disease. Overall, only 2 patients succumbed. The overall survival and relapse-free survival rates at 5 years were 94.7 and 51.4%, respectively. Thus, salivary gland lymphoma proved to be an indolent disease.

Skull base surgery for benign skull base tumors

The use of skull base techniques in the treatment of benign skull base tumors has allowed access to areas of the brain once considered inaccessible. The most common benign skull base tumors encountered in neurosurgical practice are benign meningiomas, schwannomas, and glomus jugulare tumors. Gross total resection of these lesions gives patients the best possible chance of a cure. In this paper, we review the rationale for the use of skull base surgery techniques for benign skull base tumors.

Management of paragangliomas. Clinical and angiographic aspects

SUMMARY

Head and neck paragangliomas are highly vascular tumors with variable clinical behavior. The goal of this paper is to determine specific clinical and radiological findings and extract from these findings a treatment algorithm. Twenty-three patients with paragangliomas were referred from different surgical centers for angiography and pre-operative embolization. Clinical records were analyzed retrospectively, and focused on impairment of cranial nerves. Angiographic features of paragangliomas, such as arterial supply, tumor flow characteristics, and venous drainage, were evaluated to find characteristic angioarchitectural patterns. All but one patient presented with a single tumor. All eight jugular and four of five vagal paragangliomas caused a lower cranial nerve deficit. Tympanic paragangliomas presented with hearing loss and tinnitus. The ascending pharyngeal artery was the main feeder and contributed to the supply in every tumor. Jugular and vagal paragangliomas typically compromise the patency of the jugular vein with resulting antegrade or retrograde flow through collateral venous systems. Surgical resection of vagal and jugular paragangliomas was especially performed when unifocal paragangliomas were present. In all of these patients, the tumor caused a cranial nerve deficit. The supply from an enlarged ascending pharyngeal artery is typical for paragangliomas. The venous drainage pattern of jugular and vagal paragangliomas allows differentiation from other vascular lesions at the skull base.

Complex tumors of the glomus jugulare: criteria, treatment, and outcome

OBJECT

Tumors of the glomus jugulare are benign, slow-growing paragangliomas. Their natural history, surgical treatment, and outcome have been well addressed in the recent literature; however, there remains a subgroup of complex tumors--multiple, giant, malignant, neuropeptide-secreting lesions, and those treated previously by an intervention with an adverse outcome--that is high risk, presents surgical challenges, and is associated with treatment controversy. In this article the authors report on a series of patients with complex glomus jugulare tumors and focus on treatment decisions, avoidance of complications, surgical refinements, and patient outcomes.

METHODS

In this retrospective study, the patient population was composed of 11 male and 32 female patients (mean age 47 years) with complex tumors of the glomus jugulare who were treated by the senior author within the past 20 years. These include 38 patients with giant tumors, 11 with multiple paragangliomas (seven bilateral and four ipsilateral), two with tumors that hypersecreted catecholamine, and one with a malignant tumor. Six patients had associated lesions: one dural arteriovenous malformation, one carotid artery (CA) aneurysm, two adrenal tumors, and two other cranial tumors. All but one patient presented with neurological deficits. Cranial nerve deficits, particularly those associated with the lower cranial nerves, were the prominent feature. Twenty-eight patients underwent resection in an attempt at total removal, and gross-total resection was achieved in 24 patients. Particularly challenging were cases in which the patient had undergone prior embolization or CA occlusion, after which new feeding vessels from the internal CA and vertebrobasilar artery circulation developed. The surgical technique was tailored to each patient and each tumor. It was modified to preserve facial nerve function, particularly in patients with bilateral tumors. Intrabulbar dissection was performed to increase the likelihood that the lower cranial nerves would be preserved. Each tumor was isolated to improve its resectability and prevent blood loss. No operative mortality occurred. In one patient hemiplegia developed postoperatively due to CA thrombosis, but the patient recovered after an endovascular injection of urokinase. In four patients a cerebrospinal fluid leak was treated through spinal drainage, and in five patients infection developed in the external ear canal. Two of these infections progressed to osteomyelitis of the temporal bone. There were two recurrences, one in a patient with a malignant tumor who eventually died of the disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the challenges encountered in treating complex glomus jugulare tumors, resection is indicated and successful. Multiple tumors mandate a treatment plan that addresses the risk of bilateral cranial nerve deficits. The intrabulbar dissection technique can be used with any tumor, as long as the tumor itself has not penetrated the wall of the jugular bulb or infiltrated the cranial nerves. Tumors that hypersecrete catecholamine require perioperative management and malignant tumors carry a poor prognosis.

Vagal paragangliomas

The management of vagal paragangliomas is extremely challenging. Treatment of these lesions must be tailored individually for each patient. The best treatment modality depends on the patient's age and health and the size and extent of the tumor. This article discusses clinical presentation, multicentric and malignant vagal paragangliomas, evaluation, embolization, surgical management, and special considerations in the management of vagal paragangliomas.

Head and neck paragangliomas: an overview

Paragangliomas of the head and neck are unique tumors. Their pathology, tissue of origin, location, genetics, potential for bio-chemical activity, multicentricity, and growth pattern are unusual compared with more common head and neck tumors. Because these tumors are widespread and can appear in the ear, neck, larynx, nose, orbit, and chest, they cross subspecialties of otolaryngology.

Glomus tympanicum and glomus jugulare tumors

The ideal management of most paragangliomas is complete surgical excision. Because of technical advances, issues of resectability have given way to issues of functional outcome and postsurgical quality of life. This article reviews the surgical strategy for craniocervical paragangliomas. Intracranial extension, defect reconstruction, and cranial nerve rehabilitation are addressed.

Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the head and neck

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

Lymphomas are a frequent cause of malignant lymphadenopathy in the head and neck. This study was performed to evaluate the head and neck manifestations of lymphomas and to emphasize the different presentations of Hodgkin's disease (HD) and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL).

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective review.

METHODS

A retrospective review was made of all cases of lymphomas involving the head and neck at Marshfield Clinic (Marshfield, WI) between 1988 and 1996. Specifically, the clinical presentations, staging, and prognosis for HD and NHL with head and neck involvement were sought.

RESULTS

Three hundred eleven patients were included in the study, 76 with HD and 235 with NHL. The median age at diagnosis for patients with HD was 27.7 years, and for patients with NHL, 67.2 years. This difference was highly significant (P <.001). No significant difference in gender was noted, with male patients occurring in 59% with HD and 49% with NHL (P=.135). Extranodal involvement including the oral cavity, oropharynx, nasopharynx, paranasal sinuses, and larynx occurred with HD in 3 patients (4%) and with NHL in 54 patients (23% P <.001). Cervical adenopathy consisted of a single node in 24% of patients with HD and 33% of those with NHL (no significant difference, P=.236). The difference in mediastinal nodal involvement was highly significant, occurring in 65% of patients with HD and 38% of patients with NHL(P <.001). Abdominal nodes occurred in 20% of cases of HD and 45% of cases of NHL (P<.001). A significant difference in constitutional symptoms was noted with 41% of cases in HD and 27% of cases in NHL (P=.020). For the percentage of patients with stage IV disease, there was a highly significant difference by diagnosis with 10% in HD and 36% in NHL (P <.001). The median follow-up time was 51 months, and 12% of patients with HD and 41% of patients with NHL died of their disease. Both the overall survival and survival from death attributable to disease were significantly better for HD(P<.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Hodgkin's disease presents at a younger age and is less common than NHL. Cervical lymphadenopathy is the most common head and neck presentation for both diseases. Associated mediastinal adenopathy was more common with HD, and abdominal adenopathy with NHL. Constitutional symptoms were more common with HD. More advanced disease with a decreased overall survival was seen with NHL.

Long-term control of surgically treated glomus tympanicum tumors

OBJECTIVE

The glomus tumor is an enigmatic middle ear neoplasm commonly delayed in diagnosis. Frequently grouped with its skull base counterpart, surgery and radiation are often recommended as therapy. The objective of this report is to highlight the diagnosis and surgical treatment of this neoplasm in a large series. Tumor control in the long term is defined.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective case review.

SETTING

Private practice-tertiary referral center.

PATIENTS

All patients surgically treated for glomus tympanicum tumors from May 25, 1972 to July 3, 1998 (N = 80).

INTERVENTIONS

Surgical excision of glomus tympanicum tumors.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Total tumor control in the long term.

RESULTS

Surgical treatment resulted in long-term tumor control for the vast majority of the patients studied.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgery provides excellent control of glomus tympanicum tumors. It is safe and well tolerated, with minimal morbidity.

Lymphoid lesions of the parotid

Lymphoid lesions of the parotid gland are much less common than their epithelial counterparts, and thus cytologic experience on fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is limited. FNA of lymphoid lesions with ancillary aids (flow cytometry and immunophenotypic studies) can make a definitive diagnosis. All FNAs of the parotid gland performed at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in an 8-yr span (1990-1998) were reviewed retrospectively. In all, 391 cases were done, of which 76 cases of lymphoid lesions were identified. The relevant cytology, histology, and flow cytometry were analyzed. Of the 76 lymphoid lesions, results included reactive lesions (n = 35), lymphoepithelial cysts (n = 27), malignant lymphomas (n = 12), an atypical lymphoid population (n = 1), and Sjogren's disease (n = 1). We conclude that both reactive and malignant lymphoid lesions of the parotid can be diagnosed on FNA with adjunctive tests such as flow cytometry and immunophenotyping, obviating the need for surgery. Diagn. Cytopathol. 1999;21:170-173.

Functional mapping of glomus tumors reveals underlying embryology

A functional map of cranial nerves was created by the multidimensional scaling (MDS) of adults' symptoms from glomus tumors. Differences between cranial-nerve deficits in eight different subsets of glomus tumors were input to MDS. MDS determines coordinates of points (representing cranial nerves) such that distances between points are related as closely as possible to differences in the observed symptoms. For example, two nerves that are equally likely to be affected by a glomus tumor would be put close together in the calculated map, even though they may be physically distant. The result resembles a stage in the developing nervous system. This correlation provides mathematical confirmation that adults' glomus tumors are related to early embryology. This in turn suggests that functional maps can provide a useful way for computers to depict underlying patterns in medical data.

Malignant vagal paraganglioma

Vagal paraganglioma is a rare usually benign tumour of neural crest origin. The malignant form of this tumour is very uncommon and the diagnosis is made on the basis of its clinical behaviour rather than its histological appearance. We report a case of vagal paraganglioma metastatic to adjacent cervical nodes and discuss the diagnosis and management of this tumour.

Avascular tympanojugular paraganglioma

The avascular paraganglioma described in this article appears to be the second such tumor reported in the international literature and the first to be reported in the tympanojugular region. Despite a highly suggestive history and clinical appearance, the tumor showed no signs of vascularization on radiologic studies. The pathologic postoperative study confirmed the diagnosis of paraganglioma with extensive stromal fibrosclerosis and without the typical well-vascularized thin fibrous septa. In the authors' opinion, this observation is notable because of the difficulties encountered in the correct diagnostic interpretation of an avascular mass in the tympanojugular region. In such cases, the possibility of a paraganglioma should always be considered.

The role of MIBG scintigraphy in the management of a case of metastatic glomus jugulare tumour

Glomus jugulare tumours with metastases are rare as the diagnosis of metastases in this condition can be difficult. In the past this diagnosis has been made on histology of the metastatic lesions which were identified on clinical grounds. This is one of the reasons why there have been only 20 reported cases in the literature up to 1990 (Johnstone et al., 1990). This case report examines the role of meta-iodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scintigraphy in the diagnosis of metastases. MIBG scintigraphy is an injected radionucleotide isotope scanning technique which is cheap, non-invasive, sensitive as well as being a specific investigation for identifying sites of ectopic neuroendocrine tissue. It may also have a role in the treatment of these tumours.

Intravagal paragangliomas: report of four cases

The intravagal paraganglioma is a very rare tumor of the head and neck that accounts for only 5% of the paragangliomas in that area. A painless mass in the high neck with extension into the peripharyngeal space is the most common characteristic of this tumor. Malignant paragangliomas with invasion of the cervical lymph nodes and carotid artery have been reported, but the presence of metastasis, rather than the histological findings, is the only parameter for classifying them as malignant tumors. Despite the numerous descriptions of the efficacy of radiation therapy, the histological findings of irradiated specimens have shown little effect of radiation therapy on the chief cells. The only curative therapy for intravagal paragangliomas is the total resection of the tumor. Using the supra-adventitia dissection plane, we were able to achieve total resections in four cases of complex intravagal paraganglioma. The surgical management of these cases was complex because of the following: 1) misdiagnosis as a carotid body tumor, 2) previous radiation therapy and surgical procedure, 3) association with glomus jugulare, and 4) a giant tumor with invasion of the temporal bone and encasement of the internal carotid artery. We report the surgical management of intravagal paragangliomas and the role of radiation therapy, hormonal secretion, and rehabilitation care.

Radiosurgery for recurrent cranial base cancer arising from the head and neck

BACKGROUND

Treatment options for head and neck cancers that recur at the cranial base are limited.

METHODS

Twelve patients with head and neck cancers recurrent after resection and fractionated radiotherapy (n = 11) at the cranial base had stereotactic radiosurgery using the gamma unit. The median dose to the tumor margin was 16 Gy. Imaging follow-up varied from 3 to 17 months; the longest clinical follow-up was at 35 months.

RESULTS

Three of 8 tumors studied by postradiosurgery imaging remained unchanged in size, 3 decreased, and 2 were no longer visible. There was no morbidity or worsening of symptoms after radiosurgery. Four patients died between 4 and 8 months and did not have postradiosurgery imaging performed. Mean survival after radiosurgery was 10.5 months, with 7 patients (58%) still living.

CONCLUSIONS

Radiosurgery proved safe and effective in providing local control for recurrent cranial base cancers arising from the extracranial head and neck. Radiosurgery should be considered for those patients who have failed prior fractionated radiation or surgical resection, those who have tumors in high-risk cranial locations, or those who are poor medical candidates. Although this study shows its potential adjuvant role, longer follow-up and increased clinical experience will be necessary to evaluate the overall role of radiosurgery in head and neck cancer.

Undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma presenting as a parotid mass

BACKGROUND

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma has a variety of presentations. However, in more than 50% of cases it may present with serous otitis or cervical metastases. Although the metastases usually occur in the neck, the lymphatic network of the parotid may also serve as a site for the metastatic deposits. We present a case in which the initial manifestation of nasopharyngeal carcinoma of the lymphoepithelioma type was a parotid mass.

METHODS

Case study.

RESULTS

A patient who was initially seen with an isolated parotid mass was found to have an undifferentiated carcinoma of the lymphoepithelial type. Further evaluation identified an occult nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and the patient underwent radiotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

A diagnosis of a malignant lymphoepithelial lesion of the parotid gland or undifferentiated carcinoma of the lymphoepithelial type mandates a search for an occult primary nasopharyngeal tumor.