Carotid body tumors: Surgical experience in 215 cases

Abstract

Introduction: Carotid body tumors (CBT) are very unusual neck lesions. However, at high altitudes, they are less rarely found. This study intended to review our experience in diagnosis and surgical treatment of these lesions.

Materials and methods: Among 242 clinically diagnosed CBT, 215 tumors, arising in and retrospectively studied. All patients came from the Andean plateaux. Mean age was 52.5 years, 180 were females, and mean size was 4.21 cm. Shamblin type distribution, described in 187 patients, was: Type I 29(15%), type II 118(63%) and type III 40(22%). A correct preoperative diagnosis of CBT was made in 95% of the patients, based on clinical grounds and imaging studies. Complete CBT resection was performed in 209 tumors (97%). Twenty-three (11%) accidental preoperative vessel injuries were successfully repaired. Preoperative blood transfusion was used in only 16 cases.

Results: There was no operative mortality. Postoperative complications occurred in 59(27.5%) procedures, mostly minor and related to cranial nerve dysfunction. No stroke occurred in any patient. Seven (3%) cases were malignant.

Conclusion: A systematic surgical technique allowed us to perform a complete CBT resection in most patients, unusual operative vascular accidents, low morbidity and no mortality.

Keywords: Body; Carotid; Surgery; Tumor.