Abstract

MAIA, Miguel; VIDOEDO, José  and  PINTO, João Almeida. Preoperative embolization of carotid body tumor. Angiol Cir Vasc [online]. 2012, vol.8, n.4, pp.186-194. ISSN 1646-706X.

Introduction: The aim of this article is to present a clinical case of carotid body tumor resection with preoperative embolization. Brief technical considerations. Clinical Case: A 53 year-old woman, with hypertension, presented with a painless slow-growing mass on the left side of the neck. She also complained of hoarseness and dysphagia. The ultrasound examination revealed a carotid body tumor, Shamblin II, with a maximum diameter of 4.1 cm. The patient underwent preoperative embolization using Bead-Block® 300-500 µm and 500-700 µm. The tumor was resected 24 hours after embolization, without complications and with negligible blood loss (< 20 ml). Recovery was uneventful, and the patient was discharged 48 hours after surgery. Discussion: Carotid body tumors are rare and usually benign. Most tumors are asymptomatic but, with growth, they can become symptomatic through local mechanical compression. Early surgical resection is advisable. The goals of preoperative embolization are to minimize blood loss, decrease tumor size, and facilitate local dissection and tumor excision in a periadventitial plane. In this clinical case, we consider that preoperative embolization allowed a careful dissection and preservation of local structures, significantly reducing estimated blood loss. Conclusion: We support other authors recommendation of consider preoperative embolization in carotid body tumors Shamblin II or III, with diameters greater than 2 - 3 cm, and in recurrent tumors.

Keywords : carotid body tumor; preoperative embolization; surgical exerese.

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