Multicentric chemodectoma in the head and neck

A case of a multicentric chemodectoma, with the unusual combination of glomus vagale and glomus tympanicum, is presented. The patient, though asymptomatic, showed elevated levels of urinary catecholamines, suggesting some biochemical activity of the tumour. Multicentricity was unsuspected prior to selective carotid arteriography. Intra-operative haemostasis was assisted by the utilization of pre-operative selective embolization of the tumour mass. Subsequently, the injected Ivalon was confirmed histologically in the specimen. The asymptomatic small glomus tympanicum tumour was treated using embolization alone but only time will determine the effectiveness of this method of management. The vagus nerve was anatomically spared, but complete function had not returned after 2 years of follow-up.