Primary Paraganglioma of the Spine: A Systematic Review of Clinical Features and Surgical Management in Cauda Equina versus Non-Cauda Equina Lesions

Abstract

Background: Primary spine paragangliomas are rare tumors. Surgical resection plays a role, but aggressive lesions are challenging. We reviewed the literature on primary spine paragangliomas.

Methods: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane were searched following the PRISMA guidelines to include studies on primary spine paragangliomas. Clinical-radiologic features, treatments, and outcomes were analyzed and compared between cauda equina versus non-cauda equina tumors.

Results: We included 143 studies comprising 334 patients. Median age was 46 years (range, 6-85 years). The most frequent symptoms were lower back (64.1%) and radicular (53.9%) pain, and sympathetic in 18 patients (5.4%). Cauda equina paragangliomas (84.1%) had frequently lumbar (49.1%) or lumbosacral (29%) locations. Non-cauda equina tumors were mostly in the thoracic (11.4%), thoracolumbar (5.1%), and cervical (3.6%) spine. Median tumor diameter was 2.5 cm (range, 0.5-13.0 cm). Surgical resection (98.5%) was preferred over biopsy (1.5%). Decompressive laminectomy (53%) and spine fusion (6.9%) were also performed. Adjuvant radiotherapy was delivered in 39 patients (11.7%) with aggressive tumors. Posttreatment symptomatic improvement was described in 86.2% cases. Median follow-up was 19.5 months (range, 0.1-468.0 months), and 23 patients (3.9%) had tumor recurrences. No significant differences were found between cauda equina versus non-cauda equina tumors.

Conclusions: Surgical resection is effective and safe in treating primary spine paragangliomas; however, adjuvant treatments may be needed for aggressive lesions.

Keywords: Cauda equina; Paraganglioma; Spine; Surgical oncology.