METASTATIC PARAGANGLIOMA CAUSING SPINAL-CORD COMPRESSION

Summ. of Background Data. Paragangliomas are neoplasms that arise from the autonomic nervous system-associated paraganglia. Most often they are benign tumors. However, infrequently they have been reported to me tastasize. Involvement of the spine is rare and usually is intradural at the level of the cauda equina. Objectives: The authors report two c ases of metastatic paraganglioma to the spine, both of which resulted in myelopathy from extradural spinal cord compression. Also provided i s a review of the literature. Conclusions: Paragangliomas rarely metas tasize to the spine. Management of the two reported patients involved spinal cord decompression followed by spinal stabilization procedures. Long-term ambulatory status was maintained in both patients. Radiatio n therapy may be an important adjunctive treatment after surgical remo val of these tumors.