Carotid Body Tumor:Diagnostic Value of MSCT Angiography

Objective:To explore the MSCTA findings and clinical value for diagnosis of carotid body tumor.Methods:17 carotid body tumor patients underwent MSCT angiography with injection rates of 4ml/s and the collimation of 1.3mm before operations.All the patients were confirmed by surgical pathology in the end.The acquired volume data underwent the three-dimension reconstruction of maximum intensity projection (MIP) and volume rendering (VR).The CT date were reviewed and analyzed retrospectively in correlation with surgical and pathological results.Results:9 of 17 lesions were located in the right carotid artery,8 in the left.3,5,9 of 17 carotid body tumor was classified as shamblin Ⅰ,shamblin Ⅱ and shamblin Ⅲ type respectively.The diameter of the tumors was 2.3~9.7cm,with a mean diameter of 4.6cm.The angle of the common carotid bifurcation was enlarged (48°~75°),with a mean angle of 67°.Early and obvious opacification with nourish arteries were seen on contrast enhanced images.Conclusion:The tumor size,extent,location,the dilated angle of the common carotid bifurcation,early obvious opacification with nourish arteries,surrounding vessels involvement can well demonstrated by MSCT,MSCTA not only can support the diagnose,but also provide the data for surgical planning.