Carotid body paragangliomas – clinical variety and management (RCD code: I-O)

Abstract

Paragangliomas (PGLs) are a group of rare, slow-growing tumours which are found between the base of the skull and the pelvis. The tumour is often asymptomatic, although a lump on the neck, cranial nerve palsy, or neck pain may be present. The treatment of choice is surgical resection. We present the cases of 7 patients (6 females) diagnosed with 9 PGLs of the carotid body (carotid body tumours -CBTs). These include: one case with known genetic burden, one of an advanced bilateral and recurrent tumour, and one with a malignant tumour. All presented CBTs were surgically removed. The size of a tumour correlates with postoperative complications. Resection of the largest lesion was associated with persistent left recurrent laryngeal, hypoglossal, and partial facial nerve paralysis. Other complications included single cranial nerve palsy and temporary Horner syndrome.

Malignant carotid body tumors: What we know, what we do, and what we need to achieve. A systematic review of the literature

“…Among these articles, 20 (158 patients) included 5 or more patients (Table 1) 18–39 and were considered for the proportion MA. The remaining 112 studies (179 patients), represented by case reports or case series with <5 patients, are reported in Table S1 3,40–152 …”

“…For proportion meta‐analysis (MA), only case series with at least five consecutive cases were considered (Table 1). 18–39 All the other case series describing less than five patients (including case reports) were considered only for the SR and detailed in Table S1 3,40–152 …”