Primary cervical ganglioneuroblastoma, nodular subtype

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Oncology
• Head and Neck Surgery
• Neuropathology

Background:

• Primary cervical ganglioneuroblastoma is an exceptionally rare tumor.
• Limited case reports exist for its specific subtypes, particularly in pediatric populations.
• Cervical neuroblastic tumors present diagnostic challenges in pediatric neck masses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the clinical course, diagnosis, and management of the nodular subtype of primary cervical ganglioneuroblastoma.
• To emphasize the importance of considering neuroblastic tumors in the differential diagnosis of pediatric neck masses.
• To report the utility of recurrent laryngeal nerve monitoring during pediatric neck dissection.

Main Methods:

• Case series review of two pediatric patients.
• Detailed analysis of clinical presentation, diagnostic imaging, and histopathology.
• Surgical management including neck dissection with intraoperative nerve monitoring.

Main Results:

• Two pediatric cases of nodular primary cervical ganglioneuroblastoma with confirmed lymphatic spread were identified.
• Successful surgical resection was achieved in both cases.
• Recurrent laryngeal nerve monitoring served as a viable surrogate for vagus nerve monitoring during dissection.

Conclusions:

• The nodular subtype of primary cervical ganglioneuroblastoma, though rare, should be considered in pediatric neck masses.
• Prompt diagnosis and appropriate surgical management are crucial for favorable outcomes.
• Nerve monitoring techniques can enhance surgical safety in pediatric neck dissections for these rare tumors.