[Radionuclide-thermographic diagnosis of neck paragangliomas]

Nonchromaffin paragangliomas (chemodectomas) are rare tumors. Diagnosis of paraganglion tumors is difficult. The main diagnostic method is carotid angiography. Radionuclide thermographic studies were conducted in 16 neck paraganglioma patients for comprehensive diagnosis. Malignant tumors were found in 6 out of 16 patients. Paragangliomas of the carotid corpuscle were noted in 14 patients, those of the vagus nerve in 2 patients. In benign paraganglioma hyperthermia of the neck in the tumor region did not exceed 1.2 degrees C in 8 out of 10 patients. In all 6 patients with malignant paragangliomas, hyperthermia from 1.3 degrees and upwards was noted in the tumor region on the thermograms. On the scintigrams foci of increased RP accumulation were noted in 4 patients with malignant and in 2 patients with benign paragangliomas. The use of the radionuclide and thermographic methods makes it possible to extend the potentialities of differential diagnosis of benign and malignant neck paragangliomas.