Carotid body tumor: a case report and literature review

Abstract

The carotid body is the largest collection of paraganglia in the head and neck and is found on the medial aspect of the carotid bifurcation bilaterally. Carotid body tumors are rare neoplasms arising from the chemoreceptor cells of the carotid bulb. We report a case of carotid body tumor in a 42-year-old female, who presented with painless, pulsatile, gradually progressive lateral neck swelling. The diagnosis is suspected on the basis of history, clinical and radiological examination findings and a successful surgical excision of the tumor is performed. Histopathological examination confirms the diagnosis of carotid body tumor. We also present brief literature about carotid body tumors in terms of its clinical and imaging presentation, evaluation, and management.