Endocrine Abstracts

JOINT2041

Introduction: Carotid paragangliomas are the most common cervicocephalic paragangliomas. They are neuroendocrine tumors developed from small neuroectodermal structures derived from the neural crest. Their non-secreting nature makes their diagnosis difficult. Imaging allows their characterization and provides a precise lesion assessment.

Aim: The aim of this work is to study the clinical and paraclinical particularities and the therapeutic management of carotid paragangliomas.

Material and methods: A retrospective study collecting 4 cases of patients with carotid paraganglioma.

Results: These are 4 patients (2 men and 2 women) with a mean age of 50 years, who presented with chronic latero-cervical swelling. Ultrasound was performed in 4 cases showing a hypervascularized hypoechoic mass. CT scan performed in 3 cases showed an intensely enhancing isodense mass widening the carotid bifurcation. MRI performed in 3 cases showed a typical paraganglioma appearance with flow void spots. The paraganglioma was bilateral in one case, for which radiotherapy was indicated. The other 3 cases were operated on without incident with a favorable subsequent evolution.

Conclusion: Carotid paragangliomas are rare neuroendocrine tumors, most often benign and non-secreting, with a slow progression (5-7 years) and a growth rate of approximately 5 cm/year and of genetic origin in 10% of cases. The reference examination remains the CT angiography. Management is multidisciplinary, only surgical treatment is curative. When it is not possible, radiotherapy to reduce tumor progression may be an alternative to treatment.