Premium
Dopamine‐secreting glomus vagale: A case report and histopathologic correlation
Author(s) -
Levin Roger J.,
Hamill Nicholas J.,
Grenko Ronald T.,
Huang May Y.,
Fedok Fred G.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
head and neck
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.012
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1097-0347
pISSN - 1043-3074
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-0347(199812)20:8<753::aid-hed15>3.0.co;2-v
Subject(s) - dopamine , catecholamine , immunohistochemistry , tyrosine hydroxylase , paraganglioma , pathology , pheochromocytoma , medicine , endocrinology
Background Catecholamine secretion by head and neck paragangliomas is uncommon. Dopamine secretion by these tumors has not routinely been assessed. This case report describes a dopamine‐secreting glomus vagale and evaluates seven other paragangliomas immunohistochemically for their ability to synthesize dopamine. Methods Light microscopic and immunohistochemical studies were performed on eight tumors, and biochemical testing for serum/urine catecholamines was performed on two patients. Results One patient (case report) had elevated serum dopamine which corrected following surgery. Five tumors stained strongly positive for the presence of tyrosine hydroxylase, the critical enzyme in the biosynthesis of dopamine. Conclusion This case report describes the ability of a glomus vagale to secrete dopamine. Other paragangliomas express the enzymatic machinery necessary to begin catecholamine synthesis. Now that dopamine is routinely screened during catecholamine determination, other cases may be identified. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Head Neck 20: 753–757, 1998.