CAROTID BODY PARAGANGLIOMA PRESENTING AS A LATERAL NECK MASS: A CASE REPORT

Paragangliomas are rare neuroendocrine tumors arising from paraganglionic tissue, most commonly located at the carotid bifurcation. We report a case of a 33-year-old female presenting with a progressively enlarging left-sided neck swelling associated with intermittent radiating pain. Clinical examination revealed a firm, mobile mass measuring 5 × 3 cm. Imaging studies, including ultrasound and computed tomography, demonstrated a highly vascular lesion at the carotid bifurcation. Fine-needle aspiration cytology was inconclusive. The patient underwent surgical excision under general anesthesia. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of paraganglioma, characterized by nests of cuboidal cells arranged in a classic Zellballen pattern separated by vascular septa. The tumor was classified as Shamblin Type I and was successfully excised without complications. This case highlights the importance of imaging and surgical management in diagnosing carotid body tumors.