Metastatic paraganglioma causing spinal cord compression.
BACKGROUND
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.


OBJECTIVE
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.
Brodkey
J A
JA
Department of Neurosurgery, University of Tennessee, College of Medicine, Memphis, USA.
Brodkey
J S
JS
Watridge
C B
CB
D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010235:Paraganglioma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D011859:Radiography; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000556:secondary* / Q000628:therapy