Laryngeal Paraganglioma

Epidemiology

Laryngeal paraganglia are rare lesions. They are thought to be more common in males. The average age at presentation is 45 (range: 15–67 years). Two pairs of the paraganglia have been identified in the larynx. These sites may give rise to laryngeal paraganglioma. One site is located beneath the epithelium above the anterior end of the vocal cord and near the internal branch of the superior laryngeal nerve. The second site is adjacent to the recurrent laryngeal nerve between the thyroid and cricoid cartilages. Additional rests of paraganglionic tissue have been found directly adjacent to the cricoid cartilage.

Clinical Features

These are rare lesions and the clinical findings have not been well described. These lesions may present as pulsatile submucosal masses, with the most common location being the posterior aspect of the aryepiglottic fold in the supraglottic larynx. The symptoms are felt to be directly proportional to size. Biopsy of the lesions may be associated with substantial hemorrhage from the biopsy site.

Pathology