Multiple paragangliomata of the lungs and temporal bone

Ear Nose Throat J. 2008 Nov;87(11):E4-6.

Abstract

We report the case of a 71-year-old woman with multiple benign lung paragangliomata and a benign glomus jugulare paraganglioma in one temporal bone that mimicked a malignancy. The patient's lung lesions did not regress with chemotherapy. Subsequent histologic markers suggested several very slowly dividing tumors. We review the patient's medical course and pathology from both sites. A finding of multiple lung paragangliomata should raise the suspicion of a multicentric rather than malignant tumor. Before any chemotherapeutic regimen is initiated, a thorough physical examination of the head and neck should be performed, and biopsy material should be tested for markers of cell division.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Lung Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Lung Neoplasms / surgery
  • Paraganglioma, Extra-Adrenal / pathology*
  • Paraganglioma, Extra-Adrenal / surgery
  • Skull Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Skull Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Skull Neoplasms / surgery
  • Temporal Bone / pathology*
  • Temporal Bone / surgery