Korean J Otolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.
2004 Nov;47(11):1198-1201.
A Case of Bilateral Carotid Body Tumor with Functional Paraganglioma of the Retroperitoneum
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea. kimkwang@plaza.snu.ac.kr
Abstract
- Carotid body tumor is a manifestation of paraganglioma, a systemic disease, in the head and neck region. Bilateral presentation is rare, and it may or may not be functional. In symptomatic cases, it is important to evaluate the patient thoroughly through the whole body for the causative lesion. We experienced an unusual patient who had a history of resection for a carotid body tumor presenting with fluctuating hypertension. Work up revealed contralateral carotid body tumor and increased levels of catecholamine. He underwent resection of the contralateral carotid body tumor, but his symptoms persisted. Further studies led to detection of extraadrenal retroperitoneal paraganglioma with liver infiltration, for which he had an operation. His hypertension and catecholamine levels returned to normal.
