A case of neck paraganglioma in a 49-year-old male: Case report and review of the literature

INTRODUCTION AND SIGNIFICANCE: Paragangliomas are rare tumors that most commonly occur in the head and neck. They are typically slow-growing tumors that are often associated with genetic syndromes and mutations in the enzyme succinate dehydrogenase. CASE PRESENTATION: We describe a case of a male patient who presented with ear pain and dysphagia. On physical examination, there was a left neck mass and swalling in the left oropharynx. The mass was excised through a cervical approach and it was found to be a vagal paraganglioma. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: A few cases of head and neck paragangliomas (HNPGLs) have been reported in the medical literature. These tumors often present as asymptomatic masses, but this case, the patient presented with ear pain and dysphagia the location of the mass in the parapharyngeal space presents a surgical challenge. HNPGLs should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any neck mass. CONCLUSION: Paragangliomas are generally considered to have a good prognosis when they are completely excised. They rarely metastasize to adjacent or distant tissues. Cervical approach is a valid option for complete excision of cervical paraganglioma.