Neck paragangliomas: a case report and literature review

Thyroid-originated paragangliomas are very uncommon, and there is a lack of established guidelines regarding their management.

A case study was presented, and a review of the literature was conducted.

Diagnosing a paraganglioma requires multiple diagnostic methods, including a 24-h measurement of metanephrines or catecholamines, anatomical imaging using magnetic resonance or computed tomography (CT) scans, and functional imaging using metaiodobenzylguanidine or ¹⁸F-DOPA PET/CT scans. Additionally, with the presence of somatostatin receptors on paragangliomas, the use of octreotide scans such as a ⁶⁸Ga DOTATATE PET/CT scan is expected to increase soon. The primary treatment for laryngeal paragangliomas is surgical intervention aimed at achieving optimal tumor removal while retaining the highest possible level of laryngeal function. One should not do elective neck dissection given the low risk of metastasis and recurrence. Although the rate of recurrence and metastasis for paragangliomas is low, continued monitoring through clinic visits, biochemical testing, and imaging is still necessary. Furthermore, follow-up efforts should also consider genetic testing of the critical genes associated with paragangliomas.

Although there is still debate regarding the existence of thyroid paraganglioma, it can nonetheless be classified as a subtype of laryngeal paragangliomas. All hypervascular thyroid nodules require the consideration of thyroid-associated paragangliomas.