[Bilateral carotid chemodectoma on the external carotid arteries. A case report].

Tumors of the carotid body are rare neoplasms that arise from neuroectodermic tissues. They are located in the fork of the primitive carotid artery. They are benign, slow-growing, and asymptomatic, and predominate in women. We present a case of bilateral carotid chemodectoma on the external carotids. These tumors were diagnosed by CT, MRI and superselective angiography. The treatment of choice is surgical after arteriographic embolization. Exeresis is curative in most cases, but some cases require radiotherapy.