Chronic carotid glomitis

Both carotid bodies were obtained at necropsy from each of 75 subjects, 38 male and 37 female, ranging in age from 14 to 90 years. In each case the histological features were classified as one of four age-related patterns. The presence and distribution of lymphocytes were noted. They presented either as a diffuse scattering throughout the stroma or as large focal aggregates. In subjects over the age of 50 years the diffuse infiltrates occurred in 56% of cases and were virtually all T-cells. In the same age group the aggregates of lymphocytes were found in 21% of cases. These findings indicate that there is a disease of human carotid bodies characterized by focal aggregates of lymphocytes that begins in middle age and becomes increasingly common with advancing years, affecting 29% of subjects aged 70 years or over. It is not related to any co-existing disease but seems to be a response to the degenerative changes in the glomic tissues that occur with age. By analogy with comparable changes in the thyroid and salivary glands, the disease may have a basis in auto-immunity.