Management of incidentally discovered cervical paragangliomas: report of two cases and review of current issues.

Paragangliomas of the head and neck are uncommon neoplasms arising from the extra-adrenal paraganglia and include carotid body and glomus vagale tumors. These lesions may be discovered incidentally by imaging studies performed to evaluate carotid atherosclerotic occlusive disease. Incidental paragangliomas of the head and neck may be smaller than those discovered due to symptoms. Although surgical resection remains the definitive treatment for head and neck paragangliomas, important issues of management arise when such lesions are discovered. Two recent cases are reported. Epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnostic evaluation, and issues of management of head and neck paragangliomas are discussed.