Management of cervical paragangliomas

Two cases of vagal body tumours are reported for their surgical consequences of immediate post-operative airway obstruction in one case, and tachycardia hypotension and severe dysphagia requiring cricopharyngeal myotomy in another. An unusual case of carotid body tumour which had the same clinical picture was also reported for comparative surgical treatment. The surgical management of both tumours was reviewed and it was found that 28-43 per cent of carotid body tumour resection would have vascular operation while dissection of vagal body tumour usually did not. The angiographic diagnostic criteria for vagal body tumour were also reviewed and found to be inadequate. Additional angiographic criterion was proposed.