A common symptom in two uncommon coexistent conditions: Glomus jugulare tumor and dysphagia lusoria

摘要

Glomus jugulare (GJ) tumors are paraganghomas originating from chromaffin cells. GJ tumors are very rare with an estimated incidence around one per 1.3 million people [1]. These neoplasms are highly vascularized and histologically benign in most cases but may invade bone, blood vessels, dura mater, and cranial nerves. Patients with GJ tumor usually present with conductive hearing loss and pulsatile tinnitus. Growth of the tumor can cause facial nerve (FN) paralysis, vertigo, hoarseness, and paralysis of lower cranial nerves [2]. Active GJ tumors secrete catecholamine into the circulation presenting with vasomotor symptoms like headaches, excess lacrimation, diarrhea and episodic flushing [3]. Dysphagia is an uncommon presentation of glomus jugulare tumor (6%) [1 ]. Dysphagia lusoria due to compression of the esophagus by an aberrant subclavian artery is also uncommon with a prevalence of 0.5-1.8% [41.