Sinonasal paraganglioma: endoscopic resection with a 4-year follow-up

BACKGROUND: Paragangliomas are uncommon neuroendocrine tumors. In the head and neck, they are most commonly seen at the carotid body, the temporal bone, or along the vagus nerve. Sinonasal paragangliomas are extremely rare. Most cases reported describe management by open surgical resection, with sublabial and/or transfacial approaches. METHODS: We present a case of a large sinonasal paraganglioma successfully managed by endoscopic resection. RESULTS: The patient has no evidence of recurrence after 4 years of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: This case demonstrates that sinonasal paragangliomas might be amenable to endoscopic resection. However, the most important priority to consider when selecting a surgical technique is whether adequate excision with clear margins can be obtained. Furthermore, because of the aggressive nature of these tumors, regardless of the surgical approach, long-term follow-up is recommended.