Familial Paraganglioma Syndrome: Due to the chemoreceptor function of the carotid body these tumors were first called chemodectomas or carotid body tumors, but carotid body paraganglioma is the most accurate terminology for these lesions. Paragangliomas that develop from the paraganglia adjacent to the vagus nerve and the jugular bulb are usually described as glomus vagale and glomus jugulare. Paraganglioma tumors are quite rare and account for less than 1000 reports cases since 1980.

Clinical Presentation: cervical paragangliomas include dysphonia, aspiration, hearing loss, dysphagia, tinnitus, pain, chronic cough, and shoulder weakness (due to tumor encroachment on cranial nerves).

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Last modified: Monday January 28, 2008.