Dissecting the mystery: A case report of a parapharyngeal ganglioneuroma

Abstract

Introduction: Ganglioneuromas, slow-growing non-neoplastic tumors from neural crest cells, are typically asymptomatic but may manifest clinically when reaching a significant size. While rare in the parapharynx, imaging assists in preoperative planning and assessing features of more sinister pathologies. Case Report: A 45-year-old woman presented with persistent unilateral neck pain and sore throat, computed tomography (CT) imaging parapharyngeal space, ultimately diagnosed as a parapharyngeal ganglioneuroma on tissue biopsy. Surgical excision was performed with an uneventful postoperative course. Conclusion: Parapharyngeal ganglioneuromas pose diagnostic challenges due to their rarity and diverse presentations. This case underscores the diagnostic challenges posed by rare parapharyngeal lesions and highlights the successful management of ganglioneuromas through appropriate imaging and surgical intervention.