Catecholamine-Secreting Paraganglioma of Glomus-Jugulare Region Resembling Pheochromocytoma

A paraganglioma of the glomus-jugulare region secreted norepinephrine and produced episodes of short-lived headache and palpitation similar to those seen in pheochromocytoma. The preoperative determination of excessive norepinephrine secretion permitted pharmacologic blockade by phenoxybenzamine and a smooth operative course. Until the true frequency of functioning tumors is known, all patients with craniocervical paragangliomas or chemodectomas should have routine preoperative determinations of urinary catecholamines and their metabolites to decrease surgical morbidity and mortality; two of the seven patients thus far reported have died.