The term paraganglia best defines the spread in the body of clusters of
cells with histological and cytochemical characteristics of
neuroendocrine cells originating from the neural crest. with either
sympathetic or parasympathetic function. Carotid body hyperplasia is
associated with long-standing hypoxia as in native inhabitants in high
altitude or in patients with chronic pneumonopathies. while carotid body
paraganglioma is a rare parasympathetic tumor with significant
morbidity. Tumor extension per se, associated cranial nerve involvement,
and the estimated 3-10% malignant potential. particularly at a young:
age, make early diagnosis and treatment of carotid body paraganglioma
mandatory. Biopsy should be avoided, because of the accompanying
incidence of hemorrhage, while it is essential in all cases to
investigate both sides of the neck to exclude bilateral tumors. The
modalities of therapy include preoperative embolization, preoperative
and postoperative radiation with ambiguous results of both, and complete
surgical removal which constitutes the definite therapy. The current
stroke rate is less than 5%. The histological appearance of a carotid
body paraganglioma is not a reliable guide to its propensity for
malignant behavior and recurrences are most likely to appear in patients
who have multiple paragangliomas or a family history of carotid body
paraganglioma
