The management of multiple paraganglioma of the head and neck

Carotid Body Tumors (Paragangliomas)

Carotid body tumors were diagnosed in 19 patients (13 females and 6 males) between 1977 and 2000. All but one were operated upon. The ages of the 18 surgically treated patients ranged from 17 to 65 years. Carotid body tumor was confirmed in 16 cases; the diagnosis was neurofibroma in 1 and tuberculosis lymphadenitis in 1. The carotid body tumors were resected without a shunt procedure. Eight patients underwent total resection, 6 had resection and saphenous vein interposition, 1 had partial resection, and 1 had carotid artery ligation with no resultant neurological deficit. One case of hypoglossal paralysis and one benign ipsilateral recurrence were detected. Contralateral recurrence was detected in 1 patient 4 years postoperatively. No mortality or malignant course was observed.

Management of Head and Neck Paragangliomas: A Series of 9 Cases and Review of the Literature

We conducted a retrospective study of the long-term functional results of surgery for head and neck paragangliomas. Our study population was made up of 9 patients—4 men and 5 women, aged 22 to 59 years (mean: 46.6; median: 51)—who had undergone surgical excision of a head and neck paraganglioma from January 2002 through December 2006 in the ENT Department at Pugliese-Ciaccio Hospital in Catanzaro, Italy. Of the 9 paragangliomas, 4 were carotid body tumors, 2 were glomus tympanicum tumors, and 3 were glomus vagale tumors. None of the cases was bilateral or hereditary. Complete tumor resection was achieved in 8 patients; in the remaining patient, a small amount of intradural residual vagus nerve paraganglioma had to be left in situ. The internal carotid artery was preserved in all 4 resections of carotid body tumors. There was only 1 case of postoperative lower cranial nerve deficits, which occurred in a patient with a carotid body tumor. Follow-up ranged from 12 to 53 months (mean: 37.2; median: 36), and no recurrences were documented. Our small sample showed that surgical treatment of head and neck paragangliomas provided excellent tumor control with low postoperative morbidity, even in patients with large tumors. A wait-and-scan policy may be more appropriate for patients at an advanced age or who are otherwise at high surgical risk, as well as for those whose tumors have recurred following radiotherapy.

Cervical paragangliomas-tumor control and long-term functional results after surgery

OBJECTIVE

To report long-term functional results of the surgical treatment of cervical paragangliomas.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective review of 22 patients with 34 head and neck paragangliomas of which 27 were resected between 1981 and 2004. Of these, 16 were carotid body tumors and 11 were vagal paragangliomas. There were 13 women and 9 men with an average age of 48.6 years (range, 26 to 75 years; median, 49 years) and the mean follow-up period was 82 months (range, 3 to 184 months; median, 61 months).

RESULTS

There were 13 solitary tumors of which 5 were carotid body tumors and 8 vagal paragangliomas. Multiple head and neck paragangliomas were seen in 9 patients (41%). The incidence of associated multiple tumors was 64.3% for carotid body tumors and 38.5% for vagal paragangliomas. Complete tumor resection was achieved in all but 1 patient in whom a small intradural residual vagal paraganglioma had to be left. The internal carotid artery was preserved in all carotid body tumor resections. Lower cranial nerve deficits were sustained in 1 carotid body tumor resection only, but in all cases with multiple tumors. All patients with vagal paragangliomas had or developed a vagal nerve paralysis. In 4 cases minor complications developed postoperatively. No recurrent tumors were seen during the follow-up period.

CONCLUSIONS

Even in large head and neck paragangliomas surgical treatment provides excellent tumor control with low postoperative morbidity. A wait-and-scan policy may be more appropriate for those patients with multiple tumors, advanced age, or high operative risk and for those whose tumors have recurred following radiotherapy.

Solitary Paraganglioma of the Hypoglossal Nerve: Case Report

BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE:

We report the case history of solitary hypoglossal paraganglioma in a 64-year-old woman. The surgical difficulties encountered in the removal of this challenging tumor are discussed and as a literature review provided.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION:

A 64-year-old woman presented with a short history of dysphonia, occasional dysphagia, tinnitus, altered taste, and unilateral left-sided tongue wasting. On examination, there was left lower motor hypoglossal paralysis. Imaging showed a discrete enhancing lobulated mass, measuring 2 × 2 cm, in the region of the hypoglossal nerve extending into the hypoglossal canal suggestive of hypoglossal paraganglioma. A left dorsolateral suboccipital craniotomy was performed with the patient in the sitting position. The hypoglossal nerve appeared to be enlarged, and the jugular foramen was normal. Complete surgical debulking of the tumor was not attempted because of its vascular nature. The nerve was decompressed, and neuropathology confirmed a low-grade paraganglioma arising from the hypoglossal nerve. The patient was scheduled to receive stereotactic radiation for further management.

CONCLUSION:

When a case of solitary hypoglossal paraganglioma is encountered in clinical practice, the aim of management should be mainly focused on achieving a diagnosis and preserving the hypoglossal nerve function. If there is evidence of vascularity in the lesion noted on magnetic resonance imaging, a preoperative angiogram should be obtained with a view for embolization. We decompressed the hypoglossal canal and achieved good improvement in the patient's symptoms. We recommend stereotactic radiosurgery for remnant and small hypoglossal tumors and regular follow-up with magnetic resonance imaging scans.

Glomus caroticum tumors: A case report of an operated giant carotid body tumor with a review of our experience in 47 patients

Glomus caroticum tumors, usually used as an alternative term for carotid body tumor, are of neuroectodermal origin and a part of the extra adrenal neuroendocrine system pathologies. These abnormalities are the most frequently detected paraganglioma in the localization of the head and neck. In our report, we present a giant tumor mass on the left side which was operated on successfully with a review of our experience retrospectively. Between the dates of June 1995 and October 2009, 47 patients, all of which had a glomus caroticum tumor, underwent to surgery. Tumor presented a wide variety of size and clinical presentations.

Management of carotid body tumors and familial paragangliomas: review of 30 years' experience

BACKGROUND

Carotid body tumors (CBTs), especially familial paragangliomas, are rare benign neoplasms, accounting for <0.5% of all tumors; and they are the most common extra-adrenal paraganglioma.

METHODS

In this study, CBTs were clinically suspected in 31 patients but diagnosed by histopathology in 28 between 1977 and 2007 at our department. All but one was operated upon. The ages of the 30 surgically treated patients ranged 17-73 years. A mass in the neck was the common symptom in all patients. Two of the 28 patients with CBTs had a familial paraganglioma history of CBT.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight of these 30 surgically treated patients had confirmed CBT by histopathology; the diagnoses of other two patients were neurofibroma in one and tuberculosis lymphadenitis in one. These two patients were excluded from the study. CBTs were resected without a shunt procedure. UltraCision was used in five patients for tumor resection; the surgical results of these patients were excellent (easy dissection, minimal hemorrhage and time operation). Twenty patients underwent total resection, six had resection and saphenous vein interposition, one had partial resection, and one had carotid artery ligation with no resultant neurological deficit. One case of hypoglossal paralysis and one benign recurrence were detected. No mortality or malignant course was observed.

CONCLUSION

CBTs are infrequent neoplasms; their surgical treatment is highly dependent on the ability and experience of the surgeon. The diagnostic and therapeutic relevance reside in making a timely diagnosis to propose a surgical treatment aimed at preventing complications and neurological damage. Surgical resection is usually definitive therapy for these lesions.

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.

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.

Multiple familial facial glomus: case report and review of the literature

Facial paraganglioma is an extremely rare tumor that originates from abnormal paraganglionic tissue situated in the intrapetrous facial canal. A review of the English-language literature shows that only 8 cases of facial nerve paraganglioma have been published. In each case the facial glomus presented itself sporadically, completely independent of any other form of paraganglioma. This study reports an intrapetrous facial glomus that occurred in a case of multiple paragangliomas with a hereditary pattern. To our knowledge, this is the first report of such a combination.

Combined endovascular and surgical treatment of head and neck paragangliomas--a team approach

BACKGROUND

Paragangliomas are highly vascular tumors of neural crest origin that involve the walls of blood vessels or specific nerves within the head and neck. They may be multicentric, and they are rarely malignant. Surgery is the preferred treatment, and these tumors frequently extend to the skull base. There has been controversy concerning the role of preoperative angiography and embolization of these tumors and the benefits that these procedures offer in the evaluation and management of paragangliomas.

METHODS

Forty-seven patients with 53 paragangliomas were treated from the period of 1990-2000. Initial evaluation usually included CT and/or MRI. All patients underwent bilateral carotid angiography, embolization of the tumor nidus, and cerebral angiography to define the patency of the circle of Willis. Carotid occlusion studies were performed with the patient under neuroleptic anesthesia when indicated. The tumors were excised within 48 hours of embolization.

RESULTS

Carotid body tumors represented the most common paraganglioma, accounting for 28 tumors (53%). All patients underwent angiography and embolization with six patients (13%), demonstrating complications (three of these patients had embolized tumor involving the affected nerves). Cerebral angiography was performed in 28 patients, and 5 of these patients underwent and tolerated carotid occlusion studies. The range of mean blood loss according to tumor type was 450 to 517 mL. Postoperative cranial nerve dysfunction depended on the tumor type resected. Carotid body tumor surgery frequently required sympathetic chain resection (21%), with jugular and vagal paraganglioma removal frequently resulting in lower cranial nerve resection. These patients required various modes of postoperative rehabilitation, especially vocal cord medialization and swallowing therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

The combined endovascular and surgical treatment of paragangliomas is acceptably safe and effective for treating these highly vascular neoplasms. Adequate resection may often require sacrifice of one or more cranial nerves, and appropriate rehabilitation is important in the treatment regimen.

Carotid body tumour

A case of carotid body tumour (paraganglioma) which is both unusual and highly vascular, arising from the carotid body is reported. The patient was a 68-year-old female with a right submandibular swelling. The initial pathological diagnosis was obtained from the incisional biopsy. Carotid angiography revealed the feeding vessels arising only from the external carotid artery. The tumour was completely removed and no evidence of recurrence could be found 2-years postoperatively.

Paraganglioma as a systemic syndrome: pitfalls and strategies

Tumours of the neuroendocrine system in the head and neck region are mostly paragangliomas of the glomus tympanicum or jugulare, or of the carotid body. The majority of these tumours are benign, and the coexistence of multiple paragangliomas seems to be rare. Pre-operative embolization and surgery are regarded as primary therapy for these tumours. The treatment regimen in any patient depends on age, general health, hearing status and the function of the lower cranial nerves. Several presentations are possible in which paragangliomas occur as systemic disease. 1. Paragangliomas may occur bilaterally, or, in rare cases, in multiple areas. Pre-operative bilateral angiography is of utmost importance. In case of multicentricity, it might be necessary to proceed without, or just with, unilateral surgery for preservation of adjacent structures. In surgery of jugular vein paraganglioma, we usually perform a modified transmastoidal and transcervical approach with preservation of middle-ear structures and the ossicles. As an alternative or supplement to surgery, radiotherapy or definitive embolization may be used in the treatment of paragangliomas. 2. Paragangliomas may occur as multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) syndrome combined with medullary thyroid gland carcinoma, and, facultatively, pheochromocytoma. In these cases, endocrinological examination and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the adrenal region, the thorax and the neck are required for an adequate therapeutic strategy. As MEN may be inherited, family history should be evaluated. 3. Paragangliomas can became malignant and metastasize. Thus, cervical lymph node metastases or distant metastases may occur. We recommend the removal of all ipsilateral lymph nodes and their histological examination.

Carotid body tumors in inhabitants of altitudes higher than 2000 meters above sea level

BACKGROUND

Carotid body tumors (CBTs) are rare. Diagnosis is usually delayed until the tumors reach a critical volume and a mass appears in the neck, which is often asymptomatic.

METHODS

We reviewed retrospectively the cases with CBT diagnosed from 1965 to 1995 in the Hospital de Oncologia in Mexico City with inhabitants at an altitude higher than 2200 m above sea level to see whether these tumors have the same characteristics as those of inhabitants of countries of lower altitudes. We reviewed the clinical features, diagnostic procedures, therapy, results, and complications.

RESULTS

There were 120 CBT cases, which represent 79% of the parapharyngeal space tumors diagnosed at our hospital; 116 (96%) were benign and 4 (3.3%) were malignant. Women predominated (89%), and the female-male ratio was 8.3:1. Five patients had multiple paragangliomas, and one had a family history of CBT. Eighty patients (66%) underwent surgery. This was done by cervical approach in 78 cases (97%), and 2 (2.5%) required additional mandibulotomy. There were three deaths due to brain ischemia after carotid ligature. Forty-one patients were followed without treatment, due to advanced age, concomitant diseases, or great volume of the tumor. Median follow-up of these patients was 47 months, during which time no patient reported additional symptoms, accelerated enlargement of the tumor, or metastasis. With a median follow-up of 54 months, only one patient developed local recurrence and three patients developed distant metastasis.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that cases of CBT in our high-altitude population differ significantly from those cases in inhabitants of cities in the U.S. or Europe of less than 1500 m above sea level. Those of high altitudes have an evident female predominance (8.3:1), low rate of bilaterality (5%), and a family history of 1% versus a discrete female predominance (2:1), bilaterality from 10% to 20%, and family history from 7% to 25% in low altitudes. When adequate criteria are used to determine surgical resectability, a complete resection is achieved in 85% of cases, with low or null mortality and high local control.