[Head and neck paragangliomas: imaging diagnosis and embolization].
OBJECTIVE
To review imaging features of paragangliomas. To determine the usefulness of pre-operative embolization.


METHODS
From January 1994 to December 2004, 30 patients at our institution were found to have 33 paragangliomas of the head and neck. They were evaluated with US, CT, MRI, and angiography.


RESULTS
Location distribution was: 16 carotid (1 case of bilateral and 2 of multi-centric presentation are reported), 14 in temporal bone, and 3 vagal. Embolization was performed in 22 cases. It was palliative in 2 cases and adjuvant to surgery (18) or to surgery and radiation therapy (2), resulting in a reduction of surgical complications. Eight patients were operated on and 3 rejected any treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Imaging studies are essential in the differential diagnosis of head and neck masses. Pre-operative embolization is a major advance in the surgical management of paragangliomas because it decreases potential intra-operative bleeding.
Crespo Rodríguez
Ana María
AM
Servicio de Radiodiagnóstico, Hospital Universitario Miguel Servet, Zaragoza, España. anacrespo@seram.org
Hernández Delgado
Gabriel
G
Barrena Caballo
María Rosario
MR
Guelbenzu Morte
Santiago
S
D002345:Carotid Body Tumor / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged