CAROTID ARTERIOGRAPHY IN THE DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT OF TUMORS OF THE CAROTID BODY

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Abstract
The carotid body is part of the vast chemoreceptor system of the body. Tumors of the carotid body are rare, histologically benign lesions which may exhibit malignant clinical behavior. They are situated in the neck at or near the bifurcation of the common carotid artery. Neoplasm is the only known pathologic lesion arising from the carotid body.7 The roentgen diagnosis of these tumors is made with the use of common carotid arteriography. Arteriography reveals a vast network of fine vessels in the tumor mass near the common carotid artery bifurcation. To aid in planning the patient's eventual management, the radiologist should provide the referring surgeon with certain information, including: the tumor size, position, relationship to the 3 carotid vessels, patency of the involved major vessels, and assessment of cross filling of the contralateral vessels of the brain, should sacrifice of the internal carotid artery be necessary. There should be no problem in differentiating carotid body tumors from aneurysm of a carotid vessel; however, care should be exercised in differentiating an angiomatous malformation where the vessels are irregular and of varying size. Metastases do occur in less than 7 per cent of cases. These may be to the regional lymph nodes or to distant areas such as lung, bone, liver, or heart.

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