Carotid Body Tumor

Carotid Body Tumor



A Carotid body tumor is a mass that is found in the upper neck that branches off the carotid artery. Carotid body tumors are also called Chemodectoma or Paraganglioma. There are many paragangliomas in the head and neck, but carotid body tumors are the most common. Carotid body tumors are painless neck masses that lay lateral to the tip of the hyoid bone. These tumors cause a lateral displacement and widening of carotid artery bifurcation that is best demonstrated on radiographic imaging studies. The tumors measure approximately 4.0 cm in their greatest dimension, and they often lack a capsule. Most paragangliomas are benign neoplasm. Although these types are not normally deadly, they can be locally aggressive; therefore, many times, removal of the tumor is recommended.