SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Paragangliomas are neoplasms that arise from the autonomic nervous system-associated paraganglia. Most often they are benign tumors. However, infrequently they have been reported to metastasize. Involvement of the spine is rare and usually is intradural at the level of the cauda equina. OBJECTIVES: The authors report two cases of metastatic paraganglioma to the spine, both of which resulted in myelopathy from extradural spinal cord compression. Also provided is a review of the literature. CONCLUSIONS: Paragangliomas rarely metastasize to the spine. Management of the two reported patients involved spinal cord decompression followed by spinal stabilization procedures. Long-term ambulatory status was maintained in both patients. Radiation therapy may be an important adjunctive treatment after surgical removal of these tumors.
SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Paragangliomas are neoplasms that arise from the autonomic nervous system-associated paraganglia. Most often they are benign tumors. However, infrequently they have been reported to metastasize. Involvement of the spine is rare and usually is intradural at the level of the cauda equina. OBJECTIVES: The authors report two cases of metastatic paraganglioma to the spine, both of which resulted in myelopathy from extradural spinal cord compression. Also provided is a review of the literature. CONCLUSIONS: Paragangliomas rarely metastasize to the spine. Management of the two reported patients involved spinal cord decompression followed by spinal stabilization procedures. Long-term ambulatory status was maintained in both patients. Radiation therapy may be an important adjunctive treatment after surgical removal of these tumors.
Authors: Daniel Rittirsch; Edouard Battegay; Lukas U Zimmerli; Werner Baulig; Donat R Spahn; Christian Ossendorf; Guido A Wanner; Hans-Peter Simmen; Clément Ml Werner Journal: Patient Saf Surg Date: 2012-01-05
Authors: Jennifer Vogel; Aileen Sia Atanacio; Tamara Prodanov; Baris Ismail Turkbey; Karen Adams; Victoria Martucci; Kevin Camphausen; Antonio Tito Fojo; Karel Pacak; Aradhana Kaushal Journal: Front Oncol Date: 2014-06-27 Impact factor: 6.244