Paragangliomas of the head and neck


Creative Commons License

Isik A. C. U., Imamoglu M., Erem C., Sari A.

MEDICAL PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE, vol.16, no.3, pp.209-214, 2007 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 16 Issue: 3
  • Publication Date: 2007
  • Doi Number: 10.1159/000100392
  • Journal Name: MEDICAL PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.209-214
  • Karadeniz Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical characteristics of carotid body tumors and to analyze the benefits of different treatment modalities. Subjects and Methods: The clinical records of 13 patients with paragangliomas treated during the period of 1995-2005 were reviewed for age at diagnosis, sex, initial symptoms, duration of symptoms, evidence of secretory function, family history, radiographic studies, pre- and posttreatment cranial nerve deficits, multicentric tumors, angiography, operative procedures and findings, and complications. The diagnoses were established by computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scanning. Angiography was performed on 3 patients with carotid body tumor. Results: All of the patients were followed up for a duration ranging from 16 months to 9 years. The median follow-up was 5 years. Of all 18 head and neck tumors confirmed in 13 patients, 16 were in the carotid body, 1 in the vagus nerve and 1 in the middle ear cleft. Four patients had multiple paragangliomas, 2 bilateral synchronous and 1 bilateral asynchronous paragangliomas. The remaining patient had 3 asynchronous paragangliomas, i.e. left jugulotympanic, right carotid body and left vagal paraganglioma. All patients underwent successful surgical resection of the tumor after appropriate preoperative investigation. Conclusion: This study shows that surgical treatment is acceptably safe and effective in treating these neoplasms. Copyright (C) 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel.