Syncope caused by carotid body tumor

A 71-year-old woman with a syncope and carotid body tumor is described. On palpation of the tumor on the left side of the neck, the patient felt vertiginous and has a syncope, while ECG showed an asystolic pause of 7.6 s. The tumor was completely surgically removed. After the surgery, massage of the left side of the neck provoked neither sinus bradycardia nor asystole, and the pacing electrode was removed. Temporary pacemaker is recommended in patients with syncope caused by carotid body tumor for the safe performance of diagnostic and surgical procedures. This report describes the successful operation of carotid body tumor as a rare cause of syncope. The patient feels well one year after the surgery.