[Carotid paraganglioma: a case report]

Carotid paraganglioma are tumors arising from chemoreceptor paraganglioma cells. These cells have proved to have an embryologic origin from the neural crests. Due to their low incidence these tumors are not an habitually found in daily practices. We present a case of carotid body paraganglioma diagnosed by clinical exploration, CT scan, magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance angiography which was successfully treated by surgery. The diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties present in these tumors are discussed.