METACHRONOUS BILATERAL NONFUNCTIONAL INTERCAROTID PARAGANGLIOMA (CAROTID-BODY TUMOR) AND FUNCTIONAL RETROPERITONEAL PARAGANGLIOMA - REPORT OF A CASE AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Background. The occurrence of an intercarotid paraganglioma and a para ganglioma in an anatomic distribution away from the head and neck in t he same patient is rare. We have treated a patient with this combinati on of tumors and report this unusual case with the purpose of reviewin g the paraganglion system. We endeavor to clarify the confusion that e xists by use of the terms chemodectoma, glomus tumors, nonchromaffin p aragangliomas, and pheochromocytoma and to present a rational nomencla ture based on their ontogeny. Methods. A computer-generated list of ar ticles on this subject was obtained, and all articles relative to this rare combination of tumors were reviewed. Results. We found 31 other cases. Functional intercarotid paragangliomas are extremely rare, with only five cases having been reported. Conclusions. All hypertensive p atients who are found to have an intercarotid paraganglioma should be investigated for a functional tumor. Family members should also be mad e aware of their probabilities of having these tumors because a famili al trend has been documented in certain cases.