Carotid body tumors: A retrospective case series of 11 patients

Carotid body tumors (CBTs) are uncommon neuroendocrine tumors located near the carotid bifurcation within the carotid body. CBTs are slow-growing; affected individuals may remain asymptomatic for years and are often diagnosed incidentally following imaging studies. When present, symptoms are nonspecific. Because incidence is low, retrospective review of CBT case series is an ideal study design for investigating common symptomology, identifying successful diagnostic tools, and evaluating treatment outcomes.

This article describes a case series of 11 patients treated for CBTs at an academic medical center in the Southeastern US. A retrospective chart review of 11 patients who had been discharged from the hospital following treatment for CBTs between 2017 and 2021 was conducted. Descriptive statistics were used to delineate the case series.

There were four males (36%) and seven females (64%) included in the retrospective case series. The age range was 34 to 79 with a mean of 56.73 (standard deviation 16.038). Three patients were found to have a neck mass on physical exam. Additional symptoms included vocal cord paralysis, facial paralysis, ischemic stroke, Bell palsy, dysphonia, and dizziness. Two patients had familial CBTs. Ten patients underwent surgical excision.

This case series showed that patients with CBTs should be assessed with a combination of history and physical exams along with imaging studies to confirm the diagnosis. Because CBTs may become malignant and metastasize, it is important for NPs to be knowledgeable about presenting symptoms and appropriate diagnostic studies to be able to refer patients to vascular surgeons early to prevent complications.