Chemodectoma presenting with dorsal vertebral metastasis

Abstract

Tumors of the paraganglionic system include pheochromocytomas, carotid body tumors (chemodectoma), jugulotympanic paragangliomas (glomus jugulare tumors), and the rare aorticopulmonary and aorticosympathetic paragangliomas. Paragangliomas are generally well-differentiated tumors, with only a minority (7% to 10%) behaving in a malignant fashion by causing distant spread. The case report of a 37-year-old male patient, with a medical history of glomus jugulare tumor resected 1 year ago, attending with a spinal column metastasis is presented. Surgical resection of the metastases, combined with radiotherapy, was performed on the patient. Paragangliomas have the potential to be malignant and although rare, the spinal column is one of the targets of spread.