Multiple paragangliomas: a case report

Background Carotid and vagal paragangliomas (CPGLs and VPGLs) are rare neoplasms that arise from the paraganglia located at the bifurcation of carotid arteries and vagal trunk, respectively. Both tumors can occur jointly as multiple paragangliomas accounting for approximately 10 to 20% of all head and neck paragangliomas. However, molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of multiple paragangliomas remain elusive. Case presentation We report a case of multiple paragangliomas in a patient, manifesting as bilateral CPGL and unilateral VPGL. Tumors were revealed via computed tomography and ultrasound study and were resected in two subsequent surgeries. Both CPGLs and VPGL were subjected to immunostaining for succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) subunits and exome analysis. A likely pathogenic germline variant in the SDHD gene was indicated, while likely pathogenic somatic variants differed among the tumors. Conclusions The identified germline variant in the SDHD gene seems to be a driver in the development of multiple paragangliomas. However, different spectra of somatic variants identified in each tumor indicate individual molecular mechanisms underlying their pathogenesis.