[Diagnosis and surgical treatment of carotid body tumor. Report of 27 cases].

Twenty-seven patients with carotid body tumors were treated operatively from November, 1962 to February, 1990. Tumor enucleation was performed in 2 patients, resection of the external carotid artery along with the tumor in 12, en bloc resection of carotid bifurcation in 12, and revascularization of the carotid artery in 4. Two patients (7.4%) died. Diagnosing and treating carotid body tumor was described with an emphasis on preoperative training in carotid blood flow obstruction (Matas'test), for reducing the incidence of postoperative cerebral complications. Ultrasonic gray scale visualization, carotid angiography, ultrasonic Doppler's and electroencephalogram (EEG) were used observe compensatory cerebral circulation on the affected side, to predict the outcome of carotid ligation, and to decide on when and how the operation should be done. We suggest that intraoperative EEG monitoring should be used when possible.