Head and Neck Paragangliomas: Evidence-Based Management and What Genetics Can Tell Us

Sunday, September 29, 2024

9:30 AM – 10:30 AM EDT

Location: MBCC, 203-205

CME/MOC Credit: 1

Disclosure(s):

Kevin J. Contrera, MD, MPH:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Adam J. Luginbuhl, MD:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

James l. Netterville, MD:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: Head and neck paragangliomas can be a clinical challenge to providers identifying these rare neural crest-derived tumors. They present with unique clinical exam findings, radiologic characteristics, and histopathologic features. Therefore, providers should approach management, including surgery, radiation, and observation, with up-to-date knowledge of the literature, particularly as it pertains to hereditary paragangliomas. Recent studies have changed the way we should manage patients. There is a greater emphasis on watchful waiting and new data on when, where, and how patients should be serially imaged. This information is critical to providing an evidence-based survivorship program, including monitoring for recurrence, progression, or second primary paragangliomas.

This panel will begin with a brief review of head and neck paragangliomas as well as an updated overview of diagnosis, hereditary disease, and a cost-effective model for genetic testing. Next, recent literature will be applied to provide evidence-based guidelines on clinical management, including personalized longitudinal surveillance and survivorship. Lastly, Dr. Netterville will provide practical lessons from his several decades of experience. Each of these topics will be followed by case presentations to apply these concepts to the management of actual patients. This session will be conducted using audience polling software to facilitate engagement and discussion among the panelists while highlighting fundamental principles and guidelines.

Learning Objectives:

Compose a comprehensive initial workup for a patient presenting with a newly diagnosed head and neck paraganglioma.
Describe the treatment options based on up-to-date literature and endocrine society guidelines with knowledge of the gaps in modern knowledge.
Provide evidence-based, individualized recommendations for patient surveillance and survivorship.

Moderator(s)

KC

Kevin J. Contrera, MD, MPH

Assistant Professor
Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

Disclosure(s):
faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Panelist(s)

KH

Kyle M. Hatten, MD

Associate Professor
University of Maryland Department of Otorhinolaryngology
Baltimore, MD, United States

Disclosure information not submitted.
Adam J. Luginbuhl, MD

Professor
Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
Philadelphia, PA, United States

Disclosure(s):
faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.
James l. Netterville, MD

Professor of Head and Neck Oncology, Mark C. Smith Chair in Head and Neck Oncologic Services
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, TN, United States

Disclosure(s):
faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.