title: Trans-arterial Onyx Embolization of a Functional Thoracic Paraganglioma.
abstract: Paragangliomas are rare tumors of the endocrine system. They are highly vascular and in some cases hormonally active, making their management challenging. Although there is strong evidence of the safety and effectiveness of preoperative embolization in the management of spinal tumors, only five cases have been reported in the setting of thoracic paragangliomas. We present the case of a 19-year-old man with a large, primary, functional, malignant paraganglioma of the thoracic spine causing a vertebral fracture and spinal cord compression. To our knowledge this is the first report of preoperative trans-arterial balloon augmented Onyx embolization of a thoracic paraganglioma.
authors.affiliation: Center of Excellence in Neurosciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, EL Paso, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Tatiana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Chacón-Quesada
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Paul L, Foster School of Medicine, EL Paso, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Gustavo J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Rodriguez
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Paul L, Foster School of Medicine, EL Paso, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Maud
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Paul L, Foster School of Medicine, EL Paso, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ramos-Duran
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Paul L, Foster School of Medicine, EL Paso, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Alireza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Torabi
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Paul L, Foster School of Medicine, EL Paso, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Tamara
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fitzgerald
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Paul L, Foster School of Medicine, EL Paso, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Nassim
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Akle
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Paul L, Foster School of Medicine, EL Paso, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Salvador
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cruz Flores
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, University Medical Center, EL Paso, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Todd
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Trier
keywords: Embolization; Onyx; Paraganglioma