A comprehensive analysis of ganglioneuromas: a 30-year experience of 101 patients

Ganglioneuromas (GNs) are rare benign tumors arising from sympathetic neural crest derivatives, with limited large-scale data guiding management. The objective of this study was to characterize the clinical presentation, imaging features, surgical management, and long-term outcomes of patients with GN treated at a single institution over a 30-year period.

The authors conducted a retrospective review of all patients diagnosed with GN between 1995 and 2025 at a single institution. Clinical data, imaging characteristics, operative details, perioperative complications, and long-term outcomes were abstracted.

A total of 101 patients (62.3% female, mean age 26.9 ± 15.9 years) were identified. Tumors most commonly arose in the retroperitoneum (n = 46, 45.5%), thoracic paraspinal/mediastinal region (n = 33, 32.7%), presacral space (n = 18, 17.8%), and cervical region (n = 4, 4%). The mean tumor dimensions on MRI were 8.5 ± 3.8 × 6.6 ± 3.2 × 5.8 ± 3.7 cm. Most lesions (72%) were incidental findings. Seventy patients underwent 72 surgeries, of which 69.4% had preoperative biopsy confirmation. Gross-total resection (GTR) was achieved in 73.6% of cases (53/72) and subtotal resection (STR) was performed in 26.4% (19/72). Short-term postoperative complications occurred in 43.1% of cases, most commonly neurological deficits (22.2%). The mean hospital length of stay was 4.6 ± 3.7 days. At the final follow-up (mean duration 33.8 ± 42.6 months), 46.5% of patients were stable, 42.3% had improved, and 11.3% had worsened from baseline. Two patients experienced recurrence (2.9%, 2/70). No malignant transformations were observed. Thirty-one patients were managed with observation (mean age 32.3 ± 17.7 years; mean follow-up duration 90.9 ± 151 months). Observation was chosen primarily due to proximity to major vascular or neural structures (74.2%). No patient in the observation group developed new symptoms, and 2 tumors exhibited minimal interval growth (0.08-0.17 cm/year).

GNs demonstrate indolent behavior, low recurrence rates, and no observed malignant transformation in this large cohort. GTR is achievable in most cases, but STR provides excellent long-term control when required to avoid morbidity. Observation is safe for asymptomatic tumors, particularly when adjacent to critical structures, with no growth observed on long-term follow-up, except for minimal growth in few cases. These findings support an individualized, risk-based approach to management.