DOPAMINE-SECRETING GLOMUS VAGALE - A CASE-REPORT AND HISTOPATHOLOGIC CORRELATION

Background. Catecholamine secretion by head and neck paragangliomas is uncommon. Dopamine secretion by these tumors has not routinely been a ssessed. This case report describes a dopamine-secreting glomus vagale and evaluates seven other paragangliomas immunohistochemically for th eir ability to synthesize dopamine. Methods. Light microscopic and imm unohistochemical studies were performed on eight tumors, and biochemic al testing for serum/urine catecholamines was performed on two patient s. Results. One patient (case report) had elevated serum dopa mine whi ch corrected following surgery. Five tumors stained strongly positive for the presence of tyrosine hydroxylase, the critical enzyme in the b iosynthesis of dopamine. Conclusion. This case report describes the ab ility of a glomus vagale to secrete dopamine. Other paragangliomas exp ress the enzymatic machinery necessary to begin catecholamine synthesi s. Now that dopamine is routinely screened during catecholamine determ ination, other cases may be identified. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, In c.