Laryngeal paraganglioma in an irradiated neck.
OBJECTIVE
We present the first reported case of a paraganglioma of the larynx occurring concurrently with squamous cell carcinoma in an irradiated neck.


METHODS
We present a case report and a literature review of paraganglioma of the larynx.


METHODS
A 78-year-old woman was found to have a mass on the laryngeal surface of the epiglottis and non-functioning larynx, four months after radical radiotherapy for biopsy-proven squamous cell carcinoma. Repeated positron emission tomography computed tomography was highly suggestive of residual malignancy. Given these findings, and the fact that the patient was aspirating, she was treated with total laryngectomy, and was found to have a paraganglioma of the larynx.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first report of such a case. Its importance is three-fold in that it demonstrates: the coexistence of paraganglioma and squamous cell carcinoma; the difficulties that can be encountered in the diagnosis; and the use of radiotherapy in the treatment of paraganglioma.
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Monash Medical Centre, Victoria, Australia. an.pham@live.com.au
T A
TA
Pham
R
R
De Freitas
G
G
Young
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Safdar
D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004825:Epiglottis / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D007825:Laryngectomy; D007828:Laryngoscopy; D064847:Multimodal Imaging; D037981:Neck Dissection; D009378:Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D010235:Paraganglioma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014139:Tracheostomy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution