Management of Multiple Head and Neck Paragangliomas With Assistance of a 3-D Model

Extirpation of multiple head and neck paragangliomas carries challenge due to close anatomic relationships with critical neurovascular bundles.

This study aims to assess whether the application of 3-D models can assist with surgical planning and treatment of these paragangliomas, decrease surgically related morbidity and mortality.

Fourteen patients undergoing surgical resection of multiple head and neck paragangliomas were enrolled in this study. A preoperative 3-D model was created based on radiologic data, and relevant critical anatomic relationships were preoperatively assessed and intraoperatively validated.

All 14 patients presented with multiple head and neck paragangliomas, including bilateral carotid body tumors (CBT, n = 9), concurrent CBT with glomus jugulare tumors (GJT, n = 4), and multiple vagal paragangliomas (n = 1). Ten patients underwent genomic analysis and all harbored succinate dehydrogenase complex subunit D (SDHD) mutations. Under guidance of the 3-D model, the internal carotid artery (ICA) was circumferentially encased by tumor on 5 of the operated sides, in 4 (80%) of which the tumor was successfully dissected out from the ICA, whereas ICA reconstruction was required on one side (20%). Following removal of CBT, anterior rerouting of the facial nerve was avoided in 3 (75%) of 4 patients during the extirpation of GJT with assistance of a 3-D model. Two patients developed permanent postoperative vocal cord paralysis. There was no vessel rupture or mortality in this study cohort.

The 3-D model is beneficial for establishment of a preoperative strategy, as well as planning and guiding the intraoperative procedure for resection of multiple head and neck paragangliomas.