A 10-year Experience on Surgical Management of Carotid Body Tumors

Background: Carotid body is a highly-specialized organ located at the bifurcation of the common carotid artery and responsible for acute adaptation to hypoxia. The most common disease state of carotid body is its enlargement. Carotid body tumors (CBTs) are infrequent and slow growing tumors that must be considered in lateral neck mass evaluations. Objectives: In this study we aimed to review the clinical characteristics and management of CBTs in Shohadaye Tajrish Center during the last ten years (2002 - 2012). Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study in which the medical records of patients diagnosed with CBT during the past ten years (from April 1st 2002 to April 1st 2012) were reviewed. The hospital ethics committee approved the extraction of data. For data collection we used a structured questionnaire, designed in six categories: demographic data, life style and predisposing factors, symptoms upon presentation, imaging results, treatment, complications, and follow up. Selected junior residents were responsible for extracting the data from the medical records and fulfilling the forms. Results: Overall, 48 patients with 51 CBTs were included in the study. The CBTs were bilateral in 3 (6.25%) cases. The cardinal presentations of these cervical masses were unanimous in all patients; 6 (12.5%) had symptoms of cranial nerve palsy. All cases had surgeries, while 3 patients with UN resectable tumors regarding massive invasion to CCA, ICA, and ECA, were treated with radiation simultaneously. The follow-up period in surgically resected CBTs did not elucidate any cause for the recurrencies. Conclusions: This study provided clinico-epidemiological data on patients with CBT, which could be useful for prompt diagnosis and appropriate work-up for patients and families with CBTs.