Purpose
To assess the challenges and management of carotid body tumors (CBTs). Adequate planning by the surgeon can greatly reduce adverse events of such 6
rare and difficult tumors. 7
Background 8
CBTs are rare. Despite over a century of describing surgery, controversy remains 9
surrounding details of their treatment. Most complications are considered
technically preventable.
Patients and methods 11
This prospective study included 13 cases diagnosed as CBT. Patients were 12
subjected to clinical evaluation, carotid duplex ultrasound, computed 13
tomography angiography scan, and sometimes MR angiography. All patients
underwent CBT resection and when needed vascular reconstruction. Patients
were classified into three groups depending on Shamblin classification. 15
Results 16
Mean operative time was longer in patients of Shamblin class 3 (5.4±0.77 h; range, 17
4.5–6 h; P