AN UNUSUAL NECK SWELLING: MALIGNANT GANGLIONEUROMA, A RARE ENTITY.

Abstract

Introduction: Ganglioneuroma (GN) is a rare, benign, non-invasive and neurogenic tumour. It has a neuroectodermic origin and is localized along the sympathetic trunk. Due to its rarity and the lack of specific signs and symptoms it is often difficult to reach definite diagnosis prior to surgical exploration and complete surgical excision and pathological examination. Material and Method: A 6 year old female presenting with swelling in the right side of neck associated with difficulty in breathing to the out-patient department of Cardiothoracic Surgery of Dhiraj Hospital was selected. Result and Analysis: The patient was discharged on post-operative day 9 with stable vitals and no post-operative complications. Discussion: It has a higher female predominance and commonly presents as an enlarging neck mass. In the neck due to proximity to the thyroid gland it occasionally presents with signs of Horner?s syndrome. Though usually asymptomatic, they may sometimes cause symptoms when vital structures are compressed or when there are high levels of catecholamine. MRI and CT are the mainstay of diagnosis for such tumors. Malignant ganglioneuromas are rare. Surgical excision of ganglioneuromas is the mainstay of the treatment