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A Rapidly Progressing Carotid Body Tumor: A Case Report
Colby Kihara1, Siddharth Patel2, Roger Moss3
1Research, Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dothan, USA.
Cureus
|September 18, 2023
Summary
This case report highlights a rare carotid body tumor (CBT), a type of paraganglioma, presenting as a rapidly growing neck mass. Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial for managing this uncommon condition.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Vascular Surgery
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Carotid body tumors (CBTs) are rare paragangliomas typically located near the carotid bifurcation.
- They are often slow-growing and asymptomatic, making early detection challenging.
Observation:
- A 70-year-old man presented with a rapidly enlarging, painless, pulsatile neck mass over two months.
- Clinical suspicion was confirmed by CT angiography (CTA).
Findings:
- The CBT was nonfunctioning, confirmed by normal levels of urinary-free catecholamines, vanillylmandelic acid (VMA), and metanephrines.
- Staging scans (CT thorax, abdomen, pelvis) revealed no metastatic disease.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of recognizing rare presentations of carotid body tumors.
- Increased awareness can lead to earlier diagnosis and intervention, potentially improving patient outcomes.
