Ahmadi Aslan, Jahanshahi Fatemeh, Shafiei Ali, Naderi Delaram
Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Department, Rasool Akram Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran.
Int J Surg Case Rep. 2025 Jan;126:110672. doi: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2024.110672. Epub 2024 Nov 26.
Carotid body tumors are rare neoplasms originating from neural crest cells, commonly presenting as a painless, slow-growing mass in the lateral neck. The retropharyngeal variant of these tumors is particularly uncommon, with an incidence of approximately 2.6 %.
A 50-year-old man presented to the Otolaryngology Department at Rasoul Akram Hospital with a painless 3 × 4 cm mass on the right side of his neck, which had gradually increased in size. Clinical examination revealed a pulsatile, nontender mass exerting pressure on the right lateral aspect of the pharynx. A CT scan showed a well-defined, enhancing retropharyngeal mass located between the internal and external carotid arteries on the right side, suggestive of a carotid body tumor. The patient underwent surgical resection, achieving complete tumor removal without complications. A four-year follow-up revealed no signs of tumor recurrence.
Carotid body tumors are indolent masses. Diagnosis typically involves clinical evaluation, supplemented by imaging techniques such as ultrasound, CT scan, and MRI, which aid in delineating the tumor's morphology and dimensions. Surgical resection remains the preferred treatment, aiming to achieve complete tumor excision while preserving blood flow, avoiding damage to critical organs and nerves, and safeguarding brain function.
The retropharyngeal location of carotid body tumors represents an exceptionally rare variant, and their surgical resection presents a significant challenge for surgeons. This case report offers crucial insights into the surgical management of a retropharyngeal carotid body tumor, serving as a valuable resource for future surgeons who may face similar cases.
颈动脉体瘤是起源于神经嵴细胞的罕见肿瘤，通常表现为颈部外侧无痛、生长缓慢的肿块。这些肿瘤的咽后型尤为罕见，发病率约为2.6%。
一名50岁男性因右侧颈部有一个3×4厘米的无痛肿块，且肿块逐渐增大，就诊于拉苏勒·阿克拉姆医院耳鼻喉科。临床检查发现一个有搏动、无压痛的肿块，对咽右侧施加压力。CT扫描显示右侧颈内外动脉之间有一个边界清晰、强化的咽后肿块，提示为颈动脉体瘤。患者接受了手术切除，肿瘤被完全切除且无并发症。四年随访显示无肿瘤复发迹象。
颈动脉体瘤是生长缓慢的肿块。诊断通常包括临床评估，并辅以超声、CT扫描和MRI等成像技术，这些技术有助于描绘肿瘤的形态和大小。手术切除仍然是首选治疗方法，旨在实现肿瘤的完全切除，同时保持血流，避免损伤重要器官和神经，并保护脑功能。
颈动脉体瘤的咽后位置是一种极其罕见的变异情况，其手术切除对外科医生来说是一项重大挑战。本病例报告为咽后颈动脉体瘤的手术管理提供了重要见解，为未来可能面临类似病例的外科医生提供了宝贵资源。
