Cervical ganglioneuroma in an adult man: case report and literature review of a rare occurrence
Cavanaugh, D.A.; Jawahar, A.; Harper, J.; McLaren, B.K.; Wooten, T.; Kerr, E.J.; Nunley, P.D.
Journal of the Louisiana State Medical Society Official Organ of the Louisiana State Medical Society 162(4): 218-221
2010
ISSN/ISBN: 0024-6921 PMID: 20882815 Document Number: 644609
Ganglioneuromas are rare benign tumors of the neural crest occurring in early childhood. They are occasionally diagnosed in young adults due to their mass-effect on adjacent structures. We report a case of ganglioneuroma incidentally diagnosed in an adult man. A 41-year-old man presented with left-sided cervical radiculopathy symptoms due to degenerative disc disease at the C5-6 and C6-7 levels. The diagnostic radiology work-up revealed a mass in the left side of the neck between the carotid artery and jugular vein. Surgical excision of the mass was performed and the histological diagnosis of ganglioneuroma was established. The patient developed left-sided Horner's syndrome post-operatively. The present case suggests that these tumors may have insidious presence in the adult population, and therefore, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a lateral neck mass in asymptomatic adult patients.