Carotid Paraganglioma: A Case Report

Carotid paragangliomas (CPs) are rare neuroendocrine tumors, accounting for less than 1% of head and neck neoplasms. Arising from the carotid body, these tumors are often benign but may, in some cases, progress to a malignant form. They commonly present as a painless cervical mass. This report describes a case of carotid paraganglioma incidentally discovered during a routine examination, with a focus on its clinical and diagnostic features. A 60-year-old female patient presented for routine medical follow-up. Clinical examination revealed a left carotid bruit, prompting further investigations. Doppler ultrasound, cervical MRI, and PET/CT identified a hypervascularized mass located at the left carotid bifurcation. Complete surgical excision was performed, confirming a non-secreting paraganglioma. Carotid paragangliomas highlight the importance of systematic clinical examination and rigorous diagnostic evaluation. Surgical excision remains the treatment of choice despite technical challenges and the risk of postoperative neurological complications.