Delayed Paraganglioma Diagnosis: A Case Report and Literature Update

Abstract

Paragangliomas are rare catecholamine secreting neuroendocrine tumors arising from extra-adrenal autonomic ganglia. Almost all sympathetic paragangliomas secrete norepinephrine and present with hypertension, headache, sweating, and tachycardia episodes similar to pheochromocytoma. Parasympathetic paragangliomas of which localized along the glossopharyngeal/vagal nerve through the neck and skull base are usually nonfunctional 80%–90%, and create a clinic with mass effect. Herein, we report a patient who had hypertensive crisis and pulmonary edemas several times, diagnosed as paraganglioma. Consequently, implanted cardioverter defibrillator was diagnosed as paraganglioma.

Keywords

• Paraganglioma
• pheochromocytoma
• extra-adrenal
• cardiac arrest