[Carotid body tumors: contribution of the various imaging techniques. A report of six cases].

INTRODUCTION

Carotid body tumors are rare hypervascular lesions arising from neural crest paraganglion cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the imaging features of six patients with carotid body tumors to precise their imaging characteristics in order to find specific signs and elaborate a strategy for diagnosis.

RESULTS

Imaging features detect the vascular nature of these tumors of the carotid space causing characteristic widening of the carotid bifurcation. Two patients had multiple (two or more) localizations and one had a family history of glomus tumor.

CONCLUSION

MRI with MRA is considered as the gold standard imaging technique for the evaluation of glomus tumors as it allows a multiplanar approach which is important in the preoperative study.