Recurrent bilateral carotid body tumors. A case report on a 'typical' course of a rare disease.

A 34-year-old female patient suffered from bilateral swelling of the neck for more than 10 years until carotid body tumors were diagnosed. In a local hospital, the right-sided tumor was dissected from the carotid arteries, the contralateral tumor was considered unresectable. in our institution, the left cervical mass was completely removed, and 4 years later, recurrency on the right side was similarly operated upon. Due to tumorous infiltration both recurrent nerves, both internal jugular veins, and both the left internal and external carotid artery had to be sacrificed. Carotid boyd tumors are often inadequately treated, despite the simplicity of establishing diagnosis with angiographic and scintigraphic techniques, because they are not included in different diagnosis during assessment.