Vagal paraganglioma extending to the brain: a case report with literature review

Introduction: Vagal paraganglioma (VP) is a rare tumor of the vagus nerve (VII). This study aims to present a rare case of VP extending to the brain. Case report: A 35-year-old woman presents with neck swelling for 1 year. On examination, there was an ill-defined hard mass involving the left side of the anterior neck, fixed in all directions. A neck ultrasound revealed an irregular mass attached to both carotid arteries. A computed tomography scan showed a large lobulated, intensely enhanced mass encasing left carotid carotid vessels. Total resection under general anesthesia was done. Histopathologic examination revealed VP. Discussion: VP is the rarest form of paraganglioma and accounts for <5% of all head and neck paragangliomas. The average age of diagnosis for these patients is reported to be 45 years. VP poses a therapeutic challenge due to its anatomic location, and surgery is often associated with a significant rate of postoperative morbidities, particularly loss or impaired vagus nerve function. Conclusion: VP is a rare tumor of the head and neck, even rarer in young adults. A standard management approach is absent for these cases.