[Paragangliomas in the head-/neck region. I: Classification and diagnosis]

Paragangliomas of the head and neck occur sporadically or are hereditary. The hereditary phenotype characteristically occurs between the 2nd and 3rd decade of life; the sporadic phenotype beyond the 4th decade. The hereditary phenotype "paraganglioma syndrome type 1" frequently shows multilocular tumor manifestations and rarely cases of maltransformation. Therefore, paragangliomas should be considered a systemic disease. For diagnosis, an interdisciplinary, step by step procedure is mandatory comprising genetic screening, whole body medical check-up including catecholamine metabolism, and optionally an 18F-Dopa-PET and localised imaging procedures.