Carotid body tumor presenting with carotid sinus syndrome

A healthy 46-year-old woman presented to our hospital with complaints of sudden and repeated episodes of syncope without accompanying signs or symptoms. Neurological investigation proved negative and a 24-hour Holter monitoring device revealed significant nocturnal cardiac pauses. As such, a pacemaker was implanted in the patient, which was effective at preventing the syncopes. A subsequent investigation led to the undertaking of a cervical computed tomography (CT) scan that showed the existence of a right carotid body tumor. Rotational flexing or stretching of the neck immediately triggered the start of the pacemaker. The tumor was surgically removed and the patient no longer felt the activation of the pacemaker, which was removed 6 months after the operation. One year later, the patient was found to be well and completely free of her previous symptoms.