Cervical Ganglioneuroma in an 8 -Years Old Girl: A Rare Case Report

Background: Ganglioneuroma is a rare, benign neurogenic tumor arising from sympathetic ganglia, most commonly located in the retroperitoneum and posterior mediastinum. Cervical involvement, especially in the retropharyngeal space, is exceedingly uncommon in the pediatric population. Case Presentation: We report the case of an 8-year-old female who presented with a progressive left-sided neck mass for one year, accompanied by dysphagia and muffled voice. Clinical examination revealed a 9 cm non-tender, mobile mass in the left neck region. Imaging showed a well-defined hypodense lesion extending from C1 to C5 within the left retropharyngeal, pre- and paravertebral space, causing airway narrowing. Surgical excision via a left retropharyngeal approach was performed without complications. Histopathological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of ganglioneuroma. Conclusion: Cervical ganglioneuroma is a rare differential diagnosis for pediatric neck masses. High clinical suspicion and early imaging are crucial for timely intervention. Surgical excision remains the treatment of choice, offering excellent outcomes.