Carotid body tumors: A thirty year experience at Memorial Hospital

Abstract

Thirty-seven cases of carotid body tumor have been observed over a thirty year period at Memorial Hospital. One half were larger than 6 cm. in size and two thirds of the patients presented with an internal pharyngeal mass. The true nature of the lesion remained obscure in those patients who had had no previous biopsy, and eighteen patients came to operation without a primary working diagnosis of carotid body tumor. Aspiration biopsy of cervical masses is recommended before excision, and should blood only be obtained, the presence of this particular lesion should be suspected. Angiography can also be helpful. (Fig. 6.) Prior to 1945 the carotid bifurcation was sacrificed eight times, with a 50 per cent mortality occurring in relatively youthful subjects. In the ensuing twenty years a more sophisticated surgical technic with careful preservation of the internal carotid circulation has resulted in twenty-two patients having total or near total excision, with one death resulting.