title: Paragangliomas: À Propos of Two Cases. Diagnostics and Treatment.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Paraganglioma develops from cells of the parasympathetic and sympathetic system. It usually manifests as a slow-growing and painless mass. Peragangliomas may be hereditary, benign or malignant, unilateral or bilateral tumors. They are well vascularized. In most cases, paraganglioma is located around the common carotid artery, but may also be located within the middle ear or in the abdomen.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 49-year-old patient with bilateral paragangliomas around branches of carotid arteries. Diagnostic imaging was performed, including MRI and CT angiography. To reduce the size of the tumors, the patient was subjected to radiotherapy, with no result. Finally, the tumor on the right side was removed. A 67-year-old patient with the third recurrence of retroperitoneal paraganglioma. Diagnostic imaging was performed. Vascular embolisation was not performed as the vessels were too narrow for microcatheter introduction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Paragangliomas are rare tumors. Total resection is sometmies impossible because of the rich vascularity and difficult location. Radiotherapy is a good alternative, though not always effective. Proper diagnostic imaging is necessary.
authors.affiliation: Department of Stomatology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland.
authors.forename: Paulina
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pałasz
authors.affiliation: Department of Stomatology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland.
authors.forename: Łukasz
authors.initials: Ł
authors.lastname: Adamski
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland.
authors.forename: Michał
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Studniarek
keywords: Angiography; Carotid Body; Embolization, Therapeutic; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Paraganglioma; Tomography Scanners, X-Ray Computed