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Dopamine-secreting glomus vagale: a case report and histopathologic correlation
R J Levin1, N J Hamill, R T Grenko
1Section of Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery, Penn State University College of Medicine, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033, USA.
Head & Neck
|October 28, 1998
Summary
This study reports a rare case of dopamine-secreting glomus vagale. Further analysis revealed that other paragangliomas possess the enzymes for dopamine synthesis, suggesting a broader potential for catecholamine production.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Oncology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Catecholamine secretion from head and neck paragangliomas is infrequent.
- Dopamine secretion by these tumors has not been routinely evaluated.
- This study investigates dopamine production in paragangliomas.
Observation:
- A case of a glomus vagale secreting dopamine is presented.
- Immunohistochemical analysis was performed on eight paragangliomas.
- Biochemical testing for catecholamines was conducted on two patients.
Findings:
- One patient exhibited elevated serum dopamine, which normalized post-surgery.
- Five paragangliomas showed positive staining for tyrosine hydroxylase, crucial for dopamine synthesis.
- The enzymatic capacity for catecholamine synthesis was observed in other paragangliomas.
Implications:
- Glomus vagale tumors can secrete dopamine.
- Paragangliomas possess the enzymatic machinery for catecholamine biosynthesis.
- Routine dopamine screening may identify additional cases of catecholamine-secreting tumors.