Primary Paraganglioma of the Thyroid Gland- A Rare Case Report

Abstract

Paragangliomas are uncommon neoplasms that can arise in adrenal as well as in extra-adrenal paraganglia of the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS). Thyroid paraganglioma is a rare tumour that can be frequently mistaken for other thyroid neoplasms. Increased awareness is essential for avoiding diagnostic pitfalls regarding their characteristic features. We describe here a case of primary paraganglioma of thyroid gland. The neoplastic cells were strongly and diffusely immunoreactive with chromogranin. It showed a delicate S-100 protein positive supporting sustentacular framework. Level of calcitonin was also checked and found to be negative. We also reviewed the literature to summarize the characteristics of this distinctive lesion of thyroid gland. Though, a very rare paraganglioma, it should be included in the differential diagnosis of hypervascular thyroidal neoplasms. The gold standard of diagnosis relies on the histopathogical findings along with adjunctive immunohistochemical studies.

Keywords

• chromogranin
• immunohistochemistry
• neuroendocrine