Collet–Sicard syndrome caused by a paraganglioma in the region of the jugular foramen on one side: A case report and review

Abstract

Collet–Sicard syndrome is a rare neurological disorder caused by injury to the cranial nerve pairs IX, X, X, and XII. The author reports on a previously fit 27-year-old man who presented with dysphagia, choking on drinking water, hoarseness, weakness when turning the neck and shrugging the shoulders, and unexplained weight loss. Enhanced magnetic resonance imaging indicated a space-occupying lesion at the right jugular foramen. After surgical resection, the pathologic findings suggested a paraganglioma of the right jugular foramen and confirmed the diagnosis of Collet–Sicard syndrome. After postoperative treatment with a combination of acupuncture and modern medicine, the patient’s symptoms significantly improved. This article analyzes previous literature regarding Collet–Sicard syndrome etiology and reports the case of a patient with a rare etiology, whose prognosis improved significantly after treatment with a combination of acupuncture and modern medicine.