Ganglioneuroma of the right hemithorax with local intradural spread at the TH10-11 level: a clinical case

Ganglioneuroma is a rare tumor originating from the neural crest, has a benign profile unlike other neuroblastic tumors (neuroblastoma, ganglioneuroblastoma). Ganglioneuromas can be found wherever the vegetative ganglia are located, mainly in the abdominal cavity, pelvis, adrenal glands, mediastinal organs, chest, and spine in children. Ganglioneuroma is usually diagnosed at the age of 7 and is more common in women than in men, with a ratio of about 3 : 2. The disease is asymptomatic or manifests itself with local compression effects; rarely there are nonspecific complaints of abdominal pain or hypertension associated with hypersecretion of adrenaline, norepinephrine, dopamine.

The aim of the study was to describe a clinical case of ganglioneuroma of the right hemithorax with local intradural spread at the level of TH10-11 in a 6-year-old child. The aspects of manifestation, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, complications, and treatment of ganglioneuromas are discussed.

Conclusion. Chest ganglioneuroma has a favorable prognosis after complete resection, even with infiltration of the spinal canal. Resection may be difficult in the case of massive dimensions and involvement of the vascular membrane. Therefore, the benefits and risks of complete resection should be carefully evaluated. Thus, a feature of the presented clinical case of ganglioneuroma of the right hemithorax with local intradural spread at the level of TH10-11 in a 6-year-old child was its long-term asymptomatic course. Despite the fact that the diagnosis was confirmed histologically, preoperative imaging helped localize and characterize the mass and select the appropriate treatment options.

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