Cervical paragangliomas are uncommon benign or malignant neoplasms, originated from the stem cells of the neural crest. Up to date it is still not easy to define properly their biological behaviour, the possible multicentric location and the association with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasias. After a wide review of recent diagnostic, pathological and clinical notions, the Authors report their experience, from 1970 to 1995, of 10 patients affected by sporadic paraganglioma and 1 by familial multicentric neoplasm localized on carotid bodies of both sides, left vagus nerve and left hypoglossus nerve. All patients but one were treated by a curative resection of the neoplasm; in one case only an explorative laparotomy was possible because of the visceral and vascular involvement.