Paraganglioma of the carotid body: Report of 26 patients and review of the literature

IntroductionParagangliomas are extra-adrenal tumors originating from the neuro-ectoderm, occurring from the skull base to the pelvic floor. In the head and neck region, they are found at the jugular bulb, the vagal and tympanic nerves and the aortic glomus.ObjectivesThe aim of the present study was to review clinical profile, treatment outcomes and long-term follow-up in patients with paragangliomas of the carotid body.Materials and methodsIt is about a retrospective study of 26 patients (28 paragangliomas) followed and treated in Ear, Nose and Throat Department of La Rabta Hospital. Pre-, intra- and postoperative findings were analyzed.ResultsThe present study included 6 men and 20 women. Bilateral involvement of the carotid glomus was noted in 2 cases and tympano-jugular location was associated in 2 other cases. Ultrasound of the neck, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) tomography were performed in 13, 17 and 10 cases, respectively. 2 patients have had preoperative embolization and 22 patients, in total, were operated. External radiation was an exclusive therapeutic option in 2 patients and adjuvant to incomplete surgery in one patient. Only one case of malignant paraganglioma was noted that evolution was, in fact, rapidly fatal.