[Paraganglioma of the glomus caroticum].

Extra-adrenal paraganglioma (chemodectoma) is a rare tumor; the tumor of the carotid body is the most frequently observed chemodectoma. Histochemical analysis of the glomus cell shows catecholamine in all cases, but functional activity of those tumors is an exception. The diagnosis of carotid body tumor can be confirmed by carotid arteriography. Surgery is the treatment of choice. Malignant degeneration of chemodectoma has been observed in a few cases.