Pseudo-Lyre Sign

Abstract

Carotid body tumours cause characteristic splaying of the internal and external carotid arteries, known as ‘Lyre Sign’. Vagal paragangliomas are rare tumours that arise from glomus cells along the length of the vagus nerve. We present a case in which a vagal paraganglioma has arisen from the vagus nerve at the carotid bifurcation, and has mimicked the ‘Lyre Sign’ of a carotid body tumour.

Sporadic bilateral carotid body paragangliomas

“…This should be differentiated from the pseudo-Lyre sign, which is caused by paraganglioma arising from the vagus nerve. 3 Preoperative embolisation with polyvinyl alcohol and gel foam can be used for highly vascular tumours larger than 5 cm. 4 However, a few reports state an increased incidence of complications such as cerebral ischaemia and cranial nerve palsies with this embolisation.…”