Diagnosis and Treatment of Carotid Body Tumors

Summary Carotid body tumors are rare although they must always re main part of the differential diagnosis of a neck mass. Sono graphy as the Screening method of choice followed by angio graphy determines the diagnosis. In 11 patients 12 carotid body tumors were extirpated. The reconstruction of the inter nal carotid artery with an interposition of the greater saphen ous vein was necessary in two cases after resection of the tumor. One patient underwent preoperative embolisation be cause of a huge tumor. Two postoperative radiotherapies were undertaken because of malignancy in one case and a partially extirpated tumor in the other. After a 9 year follow-up period all patients are alive. One patient suffers from a persistent palsy of the hypoglossal nerve and another complains of per manent headache supposedly caused by the reocclusion of the venous interposition of the carotid artery. In conclusion, our data support the diagnostic strategies in patients with sus pected carotid body tumors. Regarding the exact therapeutic regimen, we suggest the surgical resection, followed by radio therapy in cases of confirmed malignancy or partially resect-able lesions.