Midline mandibulotomy for large carotid body tumors: a valuable approach.

In the present case, a 41-year-old male patient had reported a large swelling on the right side of his neck that had been radiographically diagnosed as a carotid body tumor. The tumor extended toward the right thyroid lobe, deep to the parapharyngeal space and cranially to the base of the skull. The clinical and medical imaging findings confirmed the diagnosis. Because of the large size of the tumor (50 mm × 48 mm × 85 mm), extent of involvement, and hypervascularity, surgical excision by midline mandibulotomy was chosen as the treatment approach. Midline mandibulotomy is a very good approach for large tumors with extensive involvement of the surrounding tissues, especially tumors with great medial and cephalic extension.