Hypertension and a Large pulsatile neck mass: A Case of Malignant Glomus Vagale Tumour

• Main Authors: Modupe Oyewumi, Kevin Higgins, Danny Enepekides, Simon Raphael
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford University Press 2010-08-01
• Series: Journal of Surgical Case Reports
• Subjects: paraganglioma; ent; neck; mass; hypertention
• Online Access: http://jscr.co.uk/2010/08/ent-surgery/hypertension-and-a-large-pulsatile-neck-mass-a-case-of-malignant-glomus-vagale-tumour/

his teaching case report represents an unusual example of a neck mass in a previously healthy individual. The presence of a new neck mass is a relatively common head and neck problem and requires a full work up including a complete history and physical examination. With respect to our patient, thorough history taking, physical examinations and specific investigations led to the diagnosis of a malignant and functionally active paraganglioma.Vagal paraganglioma themselves are rare tumours and account for only 5-25% of all paragangliomas in the head and neck region. The presence of a malignant, functionally active, catecholamine-secreting paraganglioma is even rarer and accounts for only 1-3% of all reported glomus vagale tumours.This case report illustrates the need to carefully monitor all neck masses for changes in size, for any distortion to surrounding structures, and their given function.