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

Paragangliomas (PGLs) are a group of rare, slow-growing tumours which are found between the base of the skull and the pelvis. The tumour may be 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. JRCD 2018; 4 (1): 9-14.