Unique presentation of a granular cell tumor as a paratracheal mass.

An unusual presentation of a granular cell tumor is reported with a review of the natural history and pathologic characteristics of this tumor. Our patient was asymptomatic and presented with a mass in the inferior right neck on routine physical examination. Preoperative radiologic evaluation suggested a parathyroid adenoma but the normal parathormone level was inconsistent with this diagnosis. At surgery, a firm mass was identified inferior to the right lobe of the thyroid gland and was found to represent a granular cell tumor densely adherent to the trachea. This case demonstrates a unique presentation for this relatively rare neoplasm which was treated with complete surgical resection.