Orbital paraganglioma: gamma knife surgery as a therapeutic option

The authors report a case of orbital paraganglioma--an extremely rare orbital tumor. A 31-year-old woman presented a well-defined localized mass in the superotemporal extraconal aspect of the left orbit. Lateral orbitotomy of the left eye for excisional biopsy was performed, but the tumor could not be excised completely because of bleeding and involvement of critical structure. Histopathology and immunohistochemical analysis established the diagnosis. Gamma knife surgery was used as an alternative modality and resulted in stabilization of the tumor and preservation of her vision. We report a rare case of orbital paraganglioma, successfully managed with radiosurgery after incomplete excision.