Supratentorial primary paraganglioma with good long-term outcome following radical excision.

BACKGROUND: Paragangliomas are tumours of extra-adrenal paraganglia. They may metastasize to the brain but primary paragangliomas are exceedingly rare in the supratentorial region and long-term outcomes after surgery is largely unknown. This description of an excellent outcome 13 years following surgery in a 40-year-old gentleman with a primary paraganglioma near the falx provides an important perspective on the value of gross total resection in these tumours. We also review the options for adjuvant therapy in tumours that cannot be excised completely.

CASE DESCRIPTION: We describe a supratentorial paraganglioma in the parasagittal region in a 40-year-old gentleman who presented with clinical and radiological features suggestive of a right parafalcine meningioma. Histopathological examination following gross total excision of the tumour revealed histological and immunochemical features of a paraganglioma. A detailed search for a systemic primary was negative and the patient remains disease-free 13 years after the surgery.

CONCLUSIONS: Differentiating between tumours arising primarily and those that are metastatic deposits in the central nervous system requires long-term follow-up and monitoring for the appearance of occult primary tumours. Gross total resection is likely to provide good long-term outcomes.