Diagnosis of carotid body tumors by dynamic computerized tomography

The carotid body tumor, although uncommon, is frequently considered in the differential diagnosis of cervical masses. When this lesion becomes a serious diagnostic possibility, angiography must be considered. Currently angiography is the only nonsurgical modality that can reliably confirm the clinical diagnosis. We describe the case of a patient in whom a carotid body tumor was diagnosed preoperatively by dynamic computerized tomography. Dynamic computerized tomography, a relatively noninvasive technique, should now be deemed the technique of choice for diagnosis of carotid body tumors, thus avoiding the potential morbidity of angiography. In patients for whom tumor removal is indicated, however, preoperative angiography is still mandatory in order to plan the best operative procedure.