Carotid Body Tumour: The Second Case Series from Baghdad, Iraq

Background: Carotid body tumour (CBT) is a rare neoplasm, yet it is the commonest head and neck paraganglioma. In Iraq, relevant literature is sparse. Herein, we present our second case series. Methodology: Patients with CBTs that were operated upon in the Department of Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Baghdad Medical City from 2010 to 2014 were enrolled. History and examination were followed by a workup of duplex ultrasonography, CT scan, magnetic resonance imaging, CT or conventional carotid angiography. Surgical exploration via a standard anterolateral cervical incision and subadventitial dissection was used to resect the tumours with preservation of carotid arteries. Intra-luminal carotid shunts and vein grafts were prepared to be used if necessary. Results: There were 5 males and 2 females aging 17 - 46 with a mean of 32.9 ± 9.8 year. All patients had slowly growing painless pulsatile swelling below mandiblular angle for long durations (1 - 25 years) and a positive Fontaine’s sign. All tumours were benign, unilateral (right n = 4, left n = 3) and ranging in size from 3 × 3 cm to 6.4 × 3.2 cm. Beside US neck exam, carotid angiography was done in 5 patients. According to Shamblin classification, 4 were class II, 2 class I and 1 class III. All tumours were successfully resected with preservation of ICA. However, the ECA was safely ligated twice due to severe involvement. Tongue deviation occurred once (14.3%) but no patient died and none had stroke or recurrence. Conclusions: Our results of surgery for CBT compare very well with the international standards.