Sudden Death Due to Neck Paraganglioma: A Pediatric Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Abstract

Neck paragangliomas are relatively rare neuroendocrine nonsecretory tumors. They are mainly observed among adults and are often asymptomatic, causing a frequent delay in diagnosis. In pediatric cases, neck paragangliomas can be associated with adrenergic symptoms that may lead to complications.A report of a sudden death due to a carotid paraganglioma in a young girl is reported. Autopsy revealed a thoracic arotic dissection and a 4-cm jugulocarotidian mass in the absence of traumatic injuries. Histology showed no evidence of underlying aortic disease, including signs of Marfan syndrome, and a paraganglioma. Postmortem biochemistry analysis showed blood metanephrines levels 100 times higher than normal range. The cause of death was an aortic dissection complicating a neck paraganglioma. The manner of death was concluded as natural.Our case highlighted the importance for forensic pathologist to consider the diagnosis of paraganglioma in case of sudden hypertensive complications, especially among young people.