Management of an incidentally discovered hypoglossal paraganglioma

Historically, hypoglossal nerve sacrifice accompanies tumor resection resulting in nerve damage and significant loss of function.2, 4 Alternatively, dissecting the tumor offof the nerve has been used, yet still with significant risk of nerve damage and leaving microscopic tumor behind, increasing the risk for recurrence.1 In our case, in light of the patient's advanced age, comorbid conditions, and lack of symptoms, we opted to biopsy the tumor confirming benign pathology and make our primary focus preservation of the nerve function.