Comprehensive Imaging Diagnosis of Carotid Body Tumors

Purpose:To evaluate the value of combined imaging examinations in diagnosis of carotid body tumor (CBT).Methods:Retrospective analysis of 24 CBT cases with ultrasonography,CT,MRI and DSA were undergone in our study,MSCTA was done in 18 cases,MRI and MRA in 16.Results:The imaging examinations including ultrasonography,CT,MRI and DSA could display the location,size and form of the tumor well. All tumors were located in bifurcation of the carotid artery; 21 were unilateral(10 located at right neck,11 located at left neck); 3 cases were in bilateral neck. The mean diameter was 5.0±2.3 centimeters. The imaging features of 24 patients with CBT were:location of the lesion was at the bifurcation of carotid artery; Blood supply in the tumor was abundant;Internal and external carotid arteries were shifted;The bifurcation of carotid artery was increased and showed Gold cup in CTA,MRA and DSA. The diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography,CT,DSA and MR was 87.5%,95.8 %,100%and 100%,respectively. Conclusion:The combined imaging exams have definitely characteristic value in diagnosing CBT. All of them play important roles on the diagnosis of CBT,and different techniques are carried out according to the purpose.