Carotid body tumours review of literature and reports of 3 cases

ABSTRACT

We reported on three cases with carotid body tumours and presented a literature review that assembles epidemiologic information on 1078 carotid body tumours. The sex ratio [female/male] was 12 their mean age was 45.5 years. It was bilateral in 31% and familial in 41% according to different series and authors. Up to 42% was recorded as malignant in different series. We reported on three cases, 2 males and one female, aged 35, 37 and 43, presenting with symptomatic neck swellings. Arteriography was diagnostic in two cases and failed in the third case because of some technical difficulties and errors. The tumour was resected in the three cases. The postoperative course was eventful in one case, but marked by hoarsness of voice in the second case and by hemiplegia and hypoglossal nerve injury in the third one. Histopathological examination revealed carotid body tumour diagnosis in the three cases