Cervical paragangliomas: neurovascular surgical risk and therapeutic management

Paragangliomas of the neck region arise most commonly in the carotid and vagal bodies. The goal of this retrospective study is to evaluate intraoperative vascular and neurological morbidity and to define the therapeutic strategy. During the period 1990–2004, 32 patients with 42 neck paragangliomas were referred to our institution (Head and Neck Service, Otolaryngology Federation, CHU La Timone, Marseilles, France). There were 29 carotid body tumors and 11 vagal body tumors. There were 14 men and 18 women. Forty paragangliomas were surgically excised. Mean age of patients with family history of paragangliomas was 34 years and that of patients without any familial history was 47 years. Only one patient had a malignant paraganglioma. A vascular repair procedure was performed in 10% and always occurred in carotid body tumors including the malignant one. Postoperative hypoglossal nerve deficit was reported in five cases (12.5%). Paralysis of vagus nerve was reported in 11 cases (27.5%), nine of whom were patients with vagal body tumors. Knowledge of number of paragangliomas and their location is of main importance and influences the therapeutic strategy. The goal of this strategy is to avoid major neurovascular morbidity and to optimize treatment of multiple or bilateral tumors. Early management of patients prevents progressive neurological deficit due to an enlarging tumor mass and minimizes neurovascular complications.