Rural centre based management of the carotid body tumour

A 40 year old male patient reported to our rural based hospital with a complaint of discomfort associated with a swelling on the left side of the neck since 8 years. A provisional diagnosis of a carotid body tumour was made based on clinical examination and ultrasound examination. Higher investigations could not be performed due to unavailability at the rural setup and referral to a specialty centre was not possible due to financial constraints of the patient. Even with advances in diagnostic and surgical techniques, surgery still presents a major threat of injury to the cranial nerves. Nevertheless, it remains the preferred method of treatment for these tumours. Our case shows that such masses can be removed successfully and that, with care, the cranial nerves and the carotid arteries can be preserved at the rural hospital.