Benign Nonodontogenic Tumors
Carotid Body Tumor
Etiology • Rare neoplasm arising from nonchromaffin paraganglia in
carotid artery bifurcation • Heredofamilial (autosomal-dominant) form can occur (in less
than 10%) • Can be multiple, bilateral, or multicentric
Clinical Presentation • Typically presents as a mass in the lateral neck • May be associated with bruit, hoarseness, dysphagia
Diagnosis • Ultrasonography as a screening measure • Angiography of both carotid systems
Differential Diagnosis • Metastatic tumor • Vagal nerve sheath tumor
Treatment • Surgical removal • Radiation therapy • Combined surgical and radiotherapy
Etiology • Rare neoplasm arising from nonchromaffin paraganglia in
carotid artery bifurcation • Heredofamilial (autosomal-dominant) form can occur (in less
than 10%) • Can be multiple, bilateral, or multicentric
Clinical Presentation • Typically presents as a mass in the lateral neck • May be associated with bruit, hoarseness, dysphagia
Diagnosis • Ultrasonography as a screening measure • Angiography of both carotid systems
Differential Diagnosis • Metastatic tumor • Vagal nerve sheath tumor
Treatment • Surgical removal • Radiation therapy • Combined surgical and radiotherapy
Prognosis • Generally good • Can be locally invasive • May metastasize in 5 to 25% of cases