Abstract

VALENCIA DIAZ, Edgardo; CLAVIJO RODRIGUEZ, Tania; HERNANDEZ SEARA, Alejandro  and  SAVIGNE GUTIERREZ, William. Bilateral paragangliomas of the carotid body. Rev Cubana Angiol Cir Vasc [online]. 2016, vol.17, n.1, pp. 0-0. ISSN 1682-0037.

International literature describes the paranganglioma of the carotid body as a very rare neoplasia that originates in type I cells of the normal carotid glomus present in the bifurcation of the common carotid. It affects both sexes at a ratio of 3 to 1, being predominant in females with low malignancy potential. It has also been related to living in high places. Carotid ganglionic tumors are infrequent, so their presentation is significant. This is a 52 years-old Caucasian male patient, who noticed swellings at both sides of the neck. On the physical examination, pulsating tumors were detected in both sides of the neck with positive Fontaine's sign. The color Doppler ultrasound revealed the existence of hypervascularized masses at both sides of the neck, being the largest those located on the left side, which received afferents through the external carotid branches. Early diagnosis is of utmost importance and imaging is the method that makes it easier to detect this condition and that provides the most sensitive and specific diagnosis, thus leading to the detection of a tumor even before it becoming palpable. Surgical treatment is the therapy of choice with good results.

Keywords : paraganglioma; carotid artery; carotid body tumor; surgery.

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