Plasma levels of free metanephrines and 3-methoxytyramine indicate a higher number of biochemically active HNPGL than 24-h urinary excretion rates of catecholamines and metabolites.

Context: A substantial number of patients with head and neck paragangliomas (HNPGLs) have biochemically active tumors, evidenced by increased urinary excretion of catecholamines and metabolites, including 3-methoxytyramine (3MT). It is unclear whether plasma levels of these parameters are more sensitive to detect biochemical activity in HNPGL patients than urinary excretion rates.

Objective: To compare plasma free levels vs urinary excretion rates of deconjugated 3MT and combined metanephrines (MNs) in patients with HNPGL.

Carotid body tumors are not associated with an increased risk for sleep-disordered breathing.

Purpose: Tumors in the carotid bodies may interfere with their function as peripheral chemoreceptors. An altered control of ventilation may predispose to sleep-disordered breathing. This study aimed to assess whether patients with unilateral or bilateral carotid body tumors (uCBT or bCBT, respectively) or bilateral CBT resection (bCBR) display sleep-disordered breathing and to evaluate the global contribution of the peripheral chemoreceptor to the hypercapnic ventilatory response.

Effects of octreotide therapy in progressive head and neck paragangliomas: case series.

Background: Octreotide, a somatostatin analog, may be beneficial in the treatment of head and neck paragangliomas (HNPGLs).

Methods: We conducted a nonblinded, prospective intervention study. During 1 year, patients received a monthly intramuscular injection of 30 mg octreotide.

Urinary 5-HIAA excretion is not increased in patients with head and neck paragangliomas.

Background: Case reports have documented carcinoid-like features in head and neck paragangliomas (HNPGLs), which, in addition to catecholamine storing granules, may also contain granules with serotonin. Serotonin is metabolized to 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA). 


Aim: To assess the urinary excretion rates of 5-HIAA and catecholamines in HNPGL patients.

Head-and-neck paragangliomas are associated with sleep-related complaints, especially in the presence of carotid body tumors.

Objectives: The carotid body functions as a chemoreceptor. We hypothesized that head-and-neck paragangliomas (HNP) may disturb the function of these peripheral chemoreceptors and play a role in sleep-disordered breathing.

Design: This is a case-control study.