The imaging diagnosis of carotid body tumors

Objective:To study the imaging features of Carot id Body Tumors(CBT)in Ultrasound,CT,MRI and Angiography and diagnositic values of the examinations.Materials and Methods:5 of the 9 cases were proved by surgery and pathology,the other 4 cases were identified by angiography,2 of which had lesions on both sides of the neck.The chief imaging appearance of each examination was retrospected and their clinical values assessed.Results:Each imaging examination locate and highlight the physical shape of CBT.The specific sonogram of CBT was iso-echoic or hypoechoic solid lesion,small tubular areas could be seen in masses measured over 3cm in diameter,but the upper borderline of the tumor appeared indistinctive.Colour Doppler show web-like vessels inside the tumor in 2 cases;CT enhancement reflected the vascular nature of CBT,in 1 case the tumor could not be distinguished from the internal and the external carotid arteries because they are evenly enhanced;MRI imaging of CBT featured flow-void tumor vessels,and internal and external carotid arteries attached to or embedded respectively in the rear and the front of the external side of masses,distinctively seperated,MRI showed clearly the distinction between CBT and common carotid arteries and their branches;Angiography could certificate diagnosis and showed feeding vessles.After selective embolism of ascending pharyngeal artery of 2 cases,blood supply to the tumor were lessen about 60%. Conclusion:Ultrasound,CT and MRI are valuable and specific in diagnosis of CBT.MRI is superior to the others.Angiography can demonstrate feeding vessels to the CBT and arterial embolism can decrease bleeding in operation.