Diagnosis and Treatment of Carotid Body Tumor

Objective To explore the diagnosis,preoperative preparations,operation methods and prevention of complication for the carotid body tumor(CBT).Methods 10 cases of CBTs were enrolled,in whom 5 got definite diagnosis before operation.The preoperative examinations included digital subtraction radiography in 3,9 ultrasonography,1 emission computed tomography,5 CT,3 MRI,and 2 rheoencephalogram.Only 3 patients received Matas test.7 patients underwent resection of the tumor only,1 resection of tumor with external carotid artery,1 resection of tumor with common carotid artery,carotid artery bifurcation,external and internal carotid artery,1 experienced reconstruction of carotid artery by saphenous vein grafting after resection of tumor and carotid artery(including common carotid artery,carotid artery bifurcation,external and internal carotid artery).Results No patient died,nor paralysis or blind after surgery except 1 of distortion of commissure,of 2 Horner's syndrome,2 of cerchnus and bucking,2 of dysphagia,and 3 of crooked tongue.9 patients were followed up for 1 to 12 years without tumor recurrence.Conclusions It is the key to choose the suitable examinations for preventing misdiagnosis of carotid body tumor.It is critical of sufficient preoperative preparation,satisfactory disclose of tumor,good operation technique,careful postoperative nursing to increase the therapeutic efficacy and decrease the complication rate.