Ganglioneuroma of the Cervical Sympathetic Chain - A Rare Occurrence

Abstract

This article deals with a rare occurrence of Ganglioneuroma of the left cervical sympathetic chain in a 9-year-old girl, presenting with painless paracervical swelling noticed since 7 months. Imaging studies showed a left parapharyngeal mass extending from C1 to C6, displacing the posterior pharyngeal wall and anterolaterally displacing the contents of the carotid sheath, with no significant vascular feeders. A provisional diagnosis of? Neurogenic tumour was established and the patient underwent surgical excision. Histopathologically, the diagnosis of Ganglioneuroma was confirmed.

Fig. 1

– CT Angiography of the neck showing a large hypodense retropharyngeal mass lesion with no significant arterial feeders

Fig. 2

A well encapsulated firm mass was noted deep to the carotid sheath abutting the lateral pharyngeal wall, which was dissected from the contents of the neck and excised

Fig. 3

– Microscopic examination of the tumour showing bundles of nerve fibres criss-crossing each other in an irregular pattern interspaced with mature ganglion cells