Glomus tumor or paraganglioma is a rare benign neoplasm. They are slow growing. These tumors occur in major blood vessels in neck, middle ear or the area below middle ear. Glomus tumors are benign; but they can cause significant damage to surrounding tissues as they grow. The etiology is unknown and no known risk factors. Glomus tumors have been associated with mutations in a gene responsible for the enzyme succinate dehydrogenase (SDH). Tumor contains nerve fibers called glomus bodies .
Normally these nerves respond to changes in the body temperature or blood pressure. The symptoms depend on location of tumor. If in carotid arteries (carotid body tumor) will cause mass in the neck, hoarseness trouble in swallowing. If in jugular bulb (glomus jugulare tumor) can cause bleeding from one ear. Difficulty in swallowing, hearing loss, shoulder droop may occur. A tumor in the middle ear…
