Introduction: carotid body tumors (cbt) are neoplasms that develop in the carotid body and are usually benign tumors. Malignant forms are less frequently. carotid body tumors are widely known as paragangliomas. the carotid body is a gland located behind the carotid artery at the site of its bifurcation on either sides of the neck and originates from the neural crest and acts as a peripheral chemoreceptor. case report: A 42-year-old female presented with progressively enlarging neck swelling over five years which was associated with a recent difficulty in swallowing and hoarseness of voice. On examination there was anterolateral pulsatile neck swelling, ovoid in shape, about 6×6×7 cm in size, mobile from side to side only and firm in consistency. computed tomography angiography (ctA) and magnetic resonance angiography (MrA) showed a mass arising