ABSTRACT Objective To analyze the sonographic features of carotid body tumors and glomus jugulare tumor and explore the clinical value of ultrasound in the diagnosis of cervical paraganglioma. Methods Combined with literature review, we reviewed the sonographic features of 11 cases of neck paraganglioma confirmed by pathology (including 10 cases of carotid body tumors and 1 case of glomus jugulare tumor) and evaluated the value of ultrasound in the diagnosis of cervical paraganglioma. Results The sonographic findings of carotid body tumor were hypoechoic solid mass located in the carotid bifurcation, which made the distance of internal carotid artery and external carotid artery widen and angle increase. The mass had forms rule and abundant blood flow signals with high speed and low resistance. These sonographic performance were characteristic and the diagnostic rate was high. The sonographic findings of glomus jugular tumor were hypoechoic solid mass located in the jugular foramen and elongated into the internal jugular vein. The mass also had abundant blood flow signals with high speed and low resistance. Ultrasound could clearly show the anatomic relationship between the mass and the internal jugular vein wall. Conclusions Ultrasonography has high diagnostic value for carotid body tumor and can be used as the preferred technology. Glomus jugular tumor has certain characteristic ultrasonic performance and ultrasound can provide effective information for the surgical treatment though it is hard to make a definite preoperative diagnosis.