Current application of endovascular interventions in surgical management of carotid body tumor

Abstract

Carotid body tumors (CBTs) are rare neoplasms at the carotid bifurcation. Surgical excision is currently the only curable treatment for CBTs but is associated with high incidence of morbidities and mortality, due to the hyper-vascularity and proximity to carotid vessels and cranial nerves of the tumors. In the last decades, endovascular interventions, including preoperative trans-arterial embolization and carotid stents, have been utilized in surgical excision of CBTs with the attempt to reduce perioperative complications and improve surgical outcomes. However, controversial results have been reported with regard to the efficacy of such techniques. This review summarized the current application of endovascular interventions in surgical treatment of CBTs, with emphasis on their impacts on surgical conducting and perioperative complications.