J Korean Neurosurg Soc.  1997 Aug;26(8):1158-1162.

A Case of Metastatic Malignant Paraganglioma Causing Spinal Root Compression

• Oh JI
• Lim DJ
• Park JY
• Chung HS
• Suh JK
• Lee HK

Abstract

Paragangliomas are neoplasms that arise from autonomic nervous system-associated paraganglia ; most often, they are benign, but have infrequently been reported to metastasize. Involvement of the spine is rare and is usually intradural at the level of the cauda equina. The authors report one case of metastatic malignant paraganglioma to the spine, which resulted in radiculopathy caused by extradural spinal root compression ; a review of the literature is also provided. Management of the reported patient involved spinal root decompression and spinal stabilization ; long-term symptom-free ambulatory status was maintained. After surgical removal of these tumors, radiation therapy may be an important adjunctive procedure.

Keyword

Metastasis; Paraganglioma; Spine; Tumor

MeSH Terms

Cauda Equina
Decompression
Humans
Neoplasm Metastasis
Paraganglioma*
Radiculopathy
Spinal Nerve Roots*
Spine