Vagal paraganglioma. Report of a case surgically treated and review of the literature

• Published in: Journal of cardiovascular surgery Vol. 41; no. 1; pp. 99 - 103
• Main Authors: Conforti, M, Rispoli, P, Barile, G, Bellan, A, Sandrone, N, Merlo, M, Raso, A M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Italy Edizioni Minerva Medica 01.02.2000
• Subjects: Adult; Angiography; Cranial Nerve Neoplasms - diagnostic imaging; Cranial Nerve Neoplasms - surgery; Embolization, Therapeutic; Female; Humans; Paraganglioma - diagnostic imaging; Paraganglioma - surgery; Postoperative Complications - diagnostic imaging; Preoperative Care; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Vagus Nerve - diagnostic imaging; Vagus Nerve - surgery; Vagus Nerve Diseases - diagnostic imaging; Vagus Nerve Diseases - surgery
• ISSN: 0021-9509; 1827-191X

The authors report the observation of one case of vagal paraganglioma occurred in a young woman. The tumor manifested itself as a left sub-mandibular tumescence; the very first diagnostic approach was achieved through echography, which showed a mass behind the internal carotid artery and compressing the internal jugular vein. The following examinations, represented by neck CT, NMR, angiography and fine needle aspiration initially directed towards the suspicion of chemodectoma. Only at operation, the anatomical situation of the tumor, which encapsulated the vagus nerve and the subsequent results of the hystological examination revealed the correct diagnosis of vagal paraganglioma.