Management of the carotid artery in paraganglioma surgery.

Paragangliomas can be challenging to even the most experienced surgeon. Injuries to the carotid artery are not uncommon. To avoid injury, a careful preoperative assessment of the size and extent of the tumor and its relation to the internal carotid artery, external carotid artery, and common carotid artery is important for planning the procedure. For more extensive tumors, it is often helpful to have a multidisciplinary team available to handle all potential issues and complications.