Laryngeal paraganglioma in an irradiated neck.

OBJECTIVE

We present the first reported case of a paraganglioma of the larynx occurring concurrently with squamous cell carcinoma in an irradiated neck.

METHOD

We present a case report and a literature review of paraganglioma of the larynx.

CASE REPORT

A 78-year-old woman was found to have a mass on the laryngeal surface of the epiglottis and non-functioning larynx, four months after radical radiotherapy for biopsy-proven squamous cell carcinoma. Repeated positron emission tomography computed tomography was highly suggestive of residual malignancy. Given these findings, and the fact that the patient was aspirating, she was treated with total laryngectomy, and was found to have a paraganglioma of the larynx.

CONCLUSION

This is the first report of such a case. Its importance is three-fold in that it demonstrates: the coexistence of paraganglioma and squamous cell carcinoma; the difficulties that can be encountered in the diagnosis; and the use of radiotherapy in the treatment of paraganglioma.