[Analysis of misdiagnosis causes of vagal paraganglioma].

Objective

To summarize the clinical differentiation points of typical vagal paraganglioma（VP） and analyze the causes of misdiagnosis.

Methods

Retrospectively analyzed clinical data of 21 VP patients（9 males, 12 females; aged 18-62） who were treated at the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital, between January 2009 and December 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent pre-operative enhanced head CT and MRI scans. 13 had laryngoscopy, and 16 had digital subtraction angiography（DSA） of the carotid artery. Analyzed causes of misdiagnosis.

Results

All 21 patients were diagnosed as VP through imaging, intra-operative findings, and post-operative pathology. Pre-operative misdiagnosis occurred in 13（61.9% misdiagnosis rate）.

Conclusion

VP has an insidious onset and high misdiagnosis rate. Enhanced CT and MRI are key for diagnosis.