Carotid body chemodectoma and carotid aneurysm–a case illustration of diagnostic problems

Abstract

Carotid body tumours are very rare and occur at the carotid artery bifurcation between the internal and external carotid arteries. The carotid bodies are reddish brown ellipsoid structures, lying embedded in the adventitial of the carotid artery bifurcation. The usual presentation is a slow growing mass at the angle of mandible. Sometimes these tumours are confused with enlarged lymph nodes, brachial cysts, salivary glands, neurofibromas and carotid aneurysms especially. Thus carotid body tumours can be a diagnostic challenge for a clinician resulting in patients being consequently subjected to unwise attempts at biopsy or explorative surgery.We present the diagnostic problems of carotid body tumour and carotid aneurysm as seen in a Nigerian African.

Keywords: carotid body, chemodectoma, carotid aneurysm

Nigerian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology Vol. 2(2) 2005: 81-85