title: Ganglioneuroma of parapharyngeal region.
abstract: In this article, we describe a case of ganglioneuroma observed in a 27-year-old woman. The tumor was found in an unusual location, the parapharyngeal space. The lesion was asymptomatic and was surgically excised after a fine-needle aspiration biopsy that was considered inadequate. The lesion measured 4 x 3 cm and was capsulated. Two distinct cells groups were identified: ganglion cells and Schwann cells placed in a loose myxoid stroma. Immunohistochemical stains (performed with the following monoclonal antibodies: high-molecular-weight cytokeratins, vimentin, neuron-specific enolase, neurofilaments, and S100) confirmed the diagnosis of ganglioneuroma. The pathologic findings and a review of recent literature are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Servizio di Anatomia Patologica e Citodiagnostica, Azienda Ospedaliera Bianchi-Melacrino-Morelli, Reggio Calabria, Italy. galbo@iol.it
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Albonico
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pellegrino
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maisano
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Kardon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D005260:Female; D005729:Ganglioneuroma / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007633:Keratins / Q000032:analysis; D016900:Neurofilament Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D010610:Pharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase / Q000032:analysis; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D012583:Schwann Cells / Q000473:pathology; D014746:Vimentin / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D016900:Neurofilament Proteins; D009418:S100 Proteins; D014746:Vimentin; D007633:Keratins; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase