BACKGROUND: Paragangliomas are unusual tumors in the head and neck originating from the paraganglia or glomus cells of neural crest origin. METHODS: We describe the first case of a primitive paraganglioma of the floor of the mouth presenting in childhood. RESULTS: Complete surgical removal was performed after embolization of the left lingual artery. There was no evidence of either persistent or recurrent disease 5 years after surgery. The embryologic and anatomic origins of head and neck paragangliomas are reviewed. CONCLUSIONS: An embryologic theory based on the common neural crest origin and migration pathways of both autonomic viscerocranium appended ganglias and paragangliomas is proposed that unifies the topographically heterogeneous group of viscerocranium-appended paragangliomas. Copyright 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2001.
BACKGROUND:Paragangliomas are unusual tumors in the head and neck originating from the paraganglia or glomus cells of neural crest origin. METHODS: We describe the first case of a primitive paraganglioma of the floor of the mouth presenting in childhood. RESULTS: Complete surgical removal was performed after embolization of the left lingual artery. There was no evidence of either persistent or recurrent disease 5 years after surgery. The embryologic and anatomic origins of head and neck paragangliomas are reviewed. CONCLUSIONS: An embryologic theory based on the common neural crest origin and migration pathways of both autonomic viscerocranium appended ganglias and paragangliomas is proposed that unifies the topographically heterogeneous group of viscerocranium-appended paragangliomas. Copyright 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2001.