International Journal of Vascular Medicine (Jan 2015)

Multidisciplinary Management of Carotid Body Tumors in a Tertiary Urban Institution

  • George Galyfos,
  • Ioannis Stamatatos,
  • Stavros Kerasidis,
  • Ioannis Stefanidis,
  • Sotirios Giannakakis,
  • Georgios Kastrisios,
  • Georgios Geropapas,
  • Gerasimos Papacharalampous,
  • Chrisostomos Maltezos

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/969372
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 2015

Abstract

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Objective. Aim of this study is to present the experience of our institution in carotid body tumors (CBTs) treatment. Methods. All cases treated in a Vascular Surgery Department within 2.5 years (03/2013–09/2015) were retrospectively evaluated. Demographics, diagnostic, and treatment strategy were recorded. All patients with known CBT underwent ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging preoperatively. All cases were classified according to the Shamblin type and evaluated by a radiologist, otolaryngologist, and anesthesiologist before and after surgery. Major outcomes included mortality, stroke, cranial nerve injury, and recurrence. Results. Overall, nine patients (mean age: 59.5 ± 16.3 years) with a total of ten CBTs were treated. There was no gender prevalence and most of the cases (55%) were asymptomatic. There were no functional or familial cases. There was only one bilateral case treated in a staged manner. No preoperative embolization of CBTs was performed. Mortality and stroke rates were null. No severe complication was observed in the early and late setting. No malignancy was recorded. Mean follow-up was 15.6 ± 7.8 months. Conclusions. Multidisciplinary management of patients with CBTs is imperative for optimal results, especially in type III tumors, bilateral or functional cases. After careful treatment planning and intraoperative manipulations, complications could be avoided even without preoperative embolization.