Paragangliomas of the head and neck. Immunohistochemical analysis of 16 cases in comparison with neuro-endocrine carcinomas.

Sixteen cases of paragangliomas of the head and neck including 8 of the vagal body, 3 of the carotid body, 2 jugulotympanic, 2 vagal or jugulotympanic and 1 of the larynx were analysed. Clinically, 13 tumors were benign, 2 showed local aggressivity and 1 showed metastases. All tumors were tested with antisera directed against neuron-specific enolase (NSE), chromogranin A (CGA), S-100 protein, neurofilaments (NF), glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) and cytokeratin (CK).