Carotid Body Tumors

2/12/2003

Question: What are aspects of carotid body tumors? 

Fulltext Available in MDConsult using Journal Search and the search term: 11557446

<2>

Unique Identifier:11557446

Authors: van der Mey AG. Jansen JC. van Baalen JM.

Institution: Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands. a.g.l.van_der_mey@lumc.nl

Title: Management of carotid body tumors. [Review] [55 refs]

Source: Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America. 34(5):907-24, vi, 2001 Oct.

Abstract: The carotid body tumor is a rare neoplasm that has generated much literature over the past century, and for which continued controversy exists regarding natural history, biologic behavior, proper technique of excision, and the risk of morbidity and mortality. This article discusses overall management of carotid body tumors. [References: 55]

Link Directly to Fulltext article in Ovid

<3>

Unique Identifier:9125028

Authors: Muhm M. Polterauer P. Gstottner W. Temmel A. Richling B. Undt G. Niederle B. Staudacher M. Ehringer H.

Institution: Department of Angiology, University of Vienna, Austria.

Title: Diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to carotid body tumors. Review of 24 patients. [Review] [47 refs]

Source: Archives of Surgery. 132(3):279-84, 1997 Mar.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical characteristics of carotid body tumors to define better a standardized proceeding in the management of carotid body tumors. DESIGN: Retrospective survey. Duration of postoperative follow-up was 4 months to 16 years (median, 57 months). SETTING: Institutional, tertiary care medical center. PATIENTS: Consecutive sample of 24 patients (10 men and 14 women) with 28 carotid body tumors treated in the University of Vienna (Austria) General Hospital in 35 years. INTERVENTIONS: Surgical resection, preoperative embolization. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Initial signs, duration of symptoms, extension of the tumors, methods of investigations, and treatment modality, with special respect to the operative technique. RESULTS: Doppler color flow imaging and angiography provided essential mainstays for definite diagnosis. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging contributed additional information about tumor extension. Nineteen patients (79%) underwent surgical resection of 22 tumors, 8 (42%) after preoperative embolization. There were no perioperative deaths. Hemiplegia occurred in 1 patient, and cranial nerve palsy occurred in 5 patients. Tumor recurrence was observed in 3 patients. Five patients refused surgery or tumors were unresectable. CONCLUSIONS: Our standard diagnostic procedure consists of establishing diagnosis by Doppler color flow sonography, angiography for detailing the vascularization of the tumor, and selective embolization to enable safer surgery with less bleeding. Early surgery is recommended to minimize major risks. [References: 47]

<4>

Unique Identifier:7917204

Authors: McCaffrey TV. Meyer FB. Michels VV. Piepgras DG. Marion MS.

Institution: Department of Otolaryngology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.

Title: Familial paragangliomas of the head and neck. [Review] [19 refs]

Source: Archives of Otolaryngology -- Head & Neck Surgery. 120(11):1211-6, 1994 Nov.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: It has been known for some time that paragangliomas of the head and neck may be familial. Recent evidence suggests genomic imprinting is an important factor in the clinical development of these tumors. In genomic imprinting the imprintable gene is transmitted in a mendelian manner, but expression of the gene is determined by the sex of the transmitting parent. In the case of paragangliomas, the gene does not result in the development of tumors when maternally inherited. The purpose of this study was to determine if this hypothesis correctly predicted the inheritance pattern of familial paraganglioma in a large series of patients. SETTING: A retrospective review of case records of the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn, a tertiary referral center, was performed for the years 1950 to 1992 to identify patients with familial paragangliomas of the head and neck. PATIENTS: A total of 38 patients with familial paragangliomas of the head and neck were identified in nine kindreds. RESULTS: Carotid body tumors were the most common paragangliomas of the head and neck (34 cases). Glomus jugulare or glomus vagale occurred in eight cases. In 16 (42%) of the patients there were multiple tumors. Surgical complications, primarily cranial nerve palsies, were more frequent for tumors larger than 5 cm in diameter. CONCLUSIONS: An autosomal dominant inheritance pattern could be shown for paragangliomas of the head and neck that was consistent with genomic imprinting. It is recommended that all individuals in kindreds with paragangliomas be screened after the age of 16 years to detect early asymptomatic tumors. [References: 19]

<9>

Unique Identifier:2685340

Authors: Warshawski SJ. de Souza FM.

Institution: Department of Otolaryngology, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Title: The carotid body tumor. [Review] [25 refs]

Source: Journal of Otolaryngology. 18(6):306-10, 1989 Oct.

Abstract: Six cases of carotid body tumor are the material for this report. The pathology and current thinking on physiology are reviewed. Diagnosis is made by angiography which must include both carotid systems. Ultrasound is the screening method of choice because it is safe, reliable, non-invasive, and inexpensive. Preoperative planning must consider the patient's medical condition and life expectancy as well as tumor size, blood supply, skull base erosion and condition of the carotid vessels. If surgery is undertaken, peri-adventitial dissection is advocated. [References: 25]