Turkish Neurosurgery
Parapharyngeal prestyloid vagal paraganglioma
Nuriye Guzin Ozdemir1, Hakan Yilmaz2, Ibrahim Burak Atci1, Adil Can Karaoglu1, Okan Turk1, Arzu Algun Gedik3, Ayhan Kocak1
1University of Health Sciences Istanbul Training and Research Hospital , Neurosurgery, Istanbul,
2University of Health Sciences Izmir Bozyaka Training and Research Hospital, Neurosurgery, Izmir,
3University of Health Sciences Istanbul Training and Research Hospital , Pathology, Istanbul,
DOI: 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.40702-22.2

Vagal paragangliomas (VPs) are rare tumors arising from paraganglionic tissue within the vagal nerve’s perineurium. Usually, benign vascular tumors, VPs tend to invade the surrounding structures. Herein, we report the case of a VP presenting as a neck mass, which was evaluated as a glomus caroticum tumor preoperatively. A 65-year-old female complaining of a left-sided neck mass and intermittent hoarseness was assessed and operated on for possible glomus caroticum tumor. During the tumor excision, the vagal nerve was also involved, and hence, sacrificed. Histopathological examination revealed an encapsulated tumor associated with a nerve and ganglion and immunohistochemical staining tested positive for succinate dehydrogenase, confirming the diagnosis of VP. Postoperative residual hoarseness was corrected by vocal rehabilitation. While evaluating a retropharyngeal prestyloid neck mass, a VP should always be considered. Surgical excision involving vagal scarification, followed by vocal rehabilitation may be the appropriate treatment strategy.

Corresponding author : Hakan Yilmaz