Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Carotid body tumor is a hypervascular tumor with multiple feeding arteries and unique orientation at the carotid bifurcation. Although resection is a radical therapy for this tumor, complete resection is challenging.

Case report: A 33-year-old female patient consulted with a neck swelling that had persisted for 3 years. On physical examination, a movable and pulsating hard mass was found on the left side of her neck. Computed tomography, magnetic resonance image and angiography all demonstrated a well-circumscribed tumor mass showing high vascularity and located at the bifurcation of the left carotid artery. The tumor involved the left carotid artery measuring 44 × 43X55 mm in size but the patency of the artery was preserved. The urinary catecholamines were negative. Since the tumor was strongly adherent to the carotid arterial wall, the resection was a surgical challenge and achieved due to multidisciplinary approach and cooperation with otolaryngologist and vascular surgeon. Histologically, the tumor was compatible with paraganglioma without signs of malignancy.

Discussion: Cooperation with an otolaryngologist and vascular surgeon during surgery is recommended due to frequent damage to carotid vessels by carotid paragangliomas. Detection of the tumor in the early stages improves surgical treatment outcomes and reduces the number of complications. Regular postoperative check-ups are necessary due to possible occurrences of multiple tumors.

KeyWords: Paraganglioma-Carotid body-Surgery-Risk