title: Primary paraganglioma of thyroid gland: a clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical study with review of the literature.
abstract: Primary paraganglioma of the thyroid is a very rare neuroendocrine tumour. Only 24 cases have been reported in the Literature. A case of a primary paraganglioma of the thyroid is presented in order to provide a review of the Literature, an update on current knowledge and to emphasize the key diagnostic role of immunohistochemistry. A 63-year-old female presented with a 6-month history of right-sided solitary thyroid nodule. Ultrasonography and fine needle aspiration biopsy were not diagnostic. The patient underwent right hemithyroidectomy. The tumour cells showed a strongly positive staining for chromogranin A, synaptophysin and neuron specific enolase, whereas S-100 protein was positive in sustentacular cells. A diagnosis of primary paraganglioma of the thyroid was made. Radiotherapy for suspected local tumour persistence was planned. At 18-months follow-up, the patient is alive without evidence of recurrence. This case highlights the need to include primary paraganglioma of the thyroid in the differential diagnosis of neuroendocrine intra-thyroidal tumours. Immunohistochemistry is essential for diagnosis. Surgery is the treatment of choice.
authors.affiliation: Otorhinolaryngology Department, Hospital of Dolo, Venice, Italy. emaferri@libero.it
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ferri
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Manconi
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Armato
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ianniello
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008875:Middle Aged; D010235:Paraganglioma / Q000473:pathology*; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*