Carotid body tumor

Case contributed by Adam Algazali
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Left neck swelling for many years

Patient Data

Age: 70 years
Gender: Female
ct

Large soft tissue mass located within the left carotid space and the epicenter at the left carotid body. It demonstrates rapid and avid enhancement post-contrast study. It causes splaying of the left internal carotid artery(ICA) and left external carotid artery (ECA), in keeping with Lyre sign. The mass encases the left ICA for more than 270 degrees (Shamblin classification group III). No visualization of the normal left internal jugular vein, likely due to external compression by this mass.

Superior extension of this mass into the left jugular foramen, but no obvious intracranial extension.

No other abnormally enhancing soft tissue lesion at bilateral middle ear cavities, right jugular foramen and right carotid space to suggest a synchronous tumor.    

Case Discussion

Imaging features are most compatible with carotid body paraganglioma.

 

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