Management of carotid body tumor and pseudoaneurysm after blunt dissection.

BACKGROUND

Surgical treatment of carotid body tumors remains challenging, and this study evaluated the outcomes of carotid body tumor and pseudoaneurysm after blunt dissection of the tumors.

METHODS

Six cases were classified as Shamblin groups I, II, and III (1, 1, and 4 cases, respectively). Tumor size ranged from 2 × 3 to 5 × 6 (median, 3.7 × 4.7) cm. Two patients underwent blunt dissection of the carotid body tumor, two underwent blunt dissection and ligation of the external carotid artery of the carotid body tumor, and two patients had common carotid artery-internal carotid artery artificial vascular reconstruction.

RESULTS

No perioperative mortality or stroke occurred. The mean blood loss was 455 (range, 250-650) mL. Two patients had pseudoaneurysm or vocal cord paralysis postoperatively and recovered with stent graft implantation and medical treatment, respectively. The patients were followed for 6 to 17 (mean, 11) months, with no recurrence observed.

CONCLUSION

Surgical treatment of a carotid body tumor is acceptably safe and effective according to Shamblin classification. Pseudoaneurysm can occur after blunt dissection of the tumor and can be treated with a stent graft.