Contiguous bilateral head and neck paragangliomas in a carrier of the SDHB germline mutation

J Vasc Surg. 2012 Jan;55(1):216-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jvs.2011.06.084. Epub 2011 Aug 6.

Abstract

Paragangliomas are extremely rare neoplasms with multicentric presentation usually linked to familial tumor syndromes. This patient presented with the uncommon combination of concurrent bilateral carotid body tumors and a unilateral glomus jugulare mass that demonstrated vascular continuity. During treatment, the patient was found to be heterozygous for the SDHB germline mutation, an autosomal dominant genotype of the familial paraganglioma syndromes associated with increased malignancy. The unique profile of the SDHB patient as regards primary evaluation, surgical considerations, and extended surveillance was explored and has led to a proposed treatment algorithm for these patients.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Carotid Body Tumor / enzymology
  • Carotid Body Tumor / genetics*
  • Carotid Body Tumor / pathology
  • Carotid Body Tumor / surgery
  • DNA Mutational Analysis
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Glomus Jugulare Tumor / enzymology
  • Glomus Jugulare Tumor / genetics*
  • Glomus Jugulare Tumor / pathology
  • Glomus Jugulare Tumor / surgery
  • Heterozygote
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mutation*
  • Neoplasms, Multiple Primary*
  • Phenotype
  • Succinate Dehydrogenase / genetics*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • SDHB protein, human
  • Succinate Dehydrogenase