Laryngeal paraganglioma: a rare clinical entity managed by supraselective embolization and lateral pharygotomy

Paragangliomas Arising From the Laryngeal Paraganglia: Thyroid and Laryngeal Paragangliomas With Radiology-Pathology Correlation

Paragangliomas are neuroendocrine tumors that arise from the embryonic neural crest cells of the extra-adrenal chromaffin and non-chromaffin cellular system. Paragangliomas arising from the laryngeal paraganglia, which occur in the thyroid and larynx, are a rare subset of paragangliomas compared to the more common locations of the carotid body, vagale, jugular, and tympanic paragangliomas. The preoperative diagnosis of both thyroid and laryngeal paragangliomas may pose a challenge due to cytological, pathological, and imaging non-specificity that overlaps with many other neoplasms. These lesions may be associated with significant intraoperative bleeding and complicated excision with adherence to nearby structures, including the recurrent laryngeal nerve. This article discusses the imaging appearance, pathological features, clinical and operative considerations and manifestations, and management of head and neck paragangliomas, as seen in two patients at our institution.

Laryngeal Paraganglioma-A Case Report

Background and Objectives: Paragangliomas of the head and neck are rare neuroendocrine tumors originating from the paraganglia, which might be sympathetic or parasympathetic. Laryngeal paragangliomas are the rarest subtype of these tumors, with only 1.41% of all paragangliomas, arising from the supraglottic or subglottic paraganglia of the larynx. The vast majority of them are benign, but there are some cases in which they turn out to be malignant, and the only way to know with certainty the difference between them is when we identify distant metastases. The aim of this article is to share our experience with a rare case of laryngeal paraganglioma and review the clinical characteristics, methods of diagnostic, necessary investigation prior to the operation, and surgical management of this type of tumor. Materials and Methods: We present the case of a 68-year-old female patient, a non-smoker, who accused dysphagia, dysphonia, foreign body sensation, chronic cough, and hoarseness for six months. We performed a tracheostomy prior to biopsy to secure the airways in case of bleeding and then took a few biopsy samples. The histopathological exam revealed the presence of a laryngeal paraganglioma. An enhanced CT scan was performed in order to describe the localization, size, and invasion of the tumor. We also measured the vanillylmandelic acid from the urine to determine if the tumor produced catecholamines alongside a full cardiology and endocrinology examinations. In order to prevent massive bleeding during the operation, chemoembolization was attempted before surgery, but it was unsuccessful due to an anatomical variation of the left superior thyroid artery. She underwent surgery, first through transoral endoscopic microsurgery; however, we decided to undertake an external approach because of poor bleeding control, even though we had ligated both the superior thyroid artery and the external carotid artery, with a thyrotomy and laryngofissure achieving the complete resection of the tumor. Results: The patient was discharged 10 postoperative days later, with the recommendation of introducing food step-by-step from liquids to solids. She was decannulated after 30 days, with no complications regarding breathing, phonation, or deglutition. Twelve months after the surgery, we did not identify any local relapses of distant metastases. Conclusions: Laryngeal paragangliomas are rare neuroendocrine tumors that arise from the laryngeal paraganglia. Surgery is the best treatment option available, and it can be done by either an external approach or by transoral endoscopy. Enhanced CT or MRI, as well as full cardiological and endocrinological evaluation are mandatory prior to the operation. Measuring the catecholamines levels show the if the tumor is secretory. Controlling the bleeding poses the biggest challenge in performing the resection of the tumor, especially when a transoral endoscopic approach is chosen. Further standardized follow-up guidelines are required in the future.

Operative technique in laryngeal paraganglioma: A case series and literature review

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Level of Evidence

Laryngeal paragangliomas are a rare subset of head and neck neoplasms, of neuroendocrine origin. We present a series of four cases of confirmed laryngeal paragangliomas and discuss our operative technique using coblation‐assisted excision via laryngofissure.

Rare Diseases of Larynx, Trachea and Thyroid

This review article covers data on rare diseases of the larynx, the trachea and the thyroid. In particular, congenital malformations, rare manifestations of inflammatory laryngeal disorders, benign and malignant epithelial as well as non-epithelial tumors, laryngeal and tracheal manifestations of general diseases and, finally, thyroid disorders are discussed. The individual chapters contain an overview of the data situation in the literature, the clinical appearance of each disorder, important key points for diagnosis and therapy and a statement on the prognosis of the disease. Finally, the authors indicate on study registers and self-help groups.