Carotid body paraganglioma (chemodectoma): cytologic remarks

The fine needle aspiration findings of a carotid body paraganglioma observed in a female patient aged 18 showed a pattern similar to that of previously described cases, but also some other morphological features to be noticed: a continuous spectrum of nuclear volumetric variations, rosette-like structures, cell embracing phenomenon and characteristics nuclear clear areas. We believe that these findings may help in the cytological distinction of carotid body paraganglioma from other laterocervical neoplasms.