Hypopharyngeal paraganglioma: a case report

Abstract

Paragangliomas are neuroendocrine neoplasms that primarily afflict patients during the fourth and fifth decade s of life. The majority of extra-adrenal paraganglioma s arise in the head and neck region, notably from the carotid and aortic bodies Jugular bulb and tympani c plexus. Although one-fifth o f all parapharyngeal neoplasms a r e paragangliomas, primary hypopharyngeal paraganglioma is relatively uncommon , only one other case having previously been documented by Filippin el al. (1989). We report a second case o f hypopharyngeal paraganglioma in an 18-year-old mal e as seen in our center.