Carotid Body Tumor; A Pandoras Box for Vascular Surgeons

Dr. Akshay Kumar Verma, Dr. Ashish R. Bhiwapurkar

Abstract: Carotid Body Tumors, though rare, remain one of the most challenging vascular neoplasms to manage due to their location, vascularity, and potential for neurological complications. In my view, this study offers a valuable real-world account from a tertiary care setting, detailing the surgical excision of such tumors without preoperative embolization. Ten patients, primarily from low-altitude regions, underwent meticulous surgical management over an 18-month period, with tumor classification guided by the Shamblin system. It is evident that most cases were advanced (Type III), demanding longer operative times and, in some instances, complex arterial reconstructions. The outcomes minimal blood loss in most cases, low transfusion rates, and transient neurological deficits that resolved with rehabilitation suggest that, with careful planning and multidisciplinary collaboration, the omission of preoperative embolization is not only feasible but can yield acceptable safety profiles. That said, the unpredictable nature of CBT, exemplified by one case mimicking a nerve sheath tumor, reinforces the need for thorough diagnostic evaluation. This raises another point: the importance of individualized patient assessment over a one-size-fits-all protocol. Taken together, the findings reflect both the surgical dexterity and the adaptive decision-making required to address what the authors aptly describe as a ?Pandora?s Box? of head and neck surgery.

Keywords: Carotid Body Tumor, Shamblin classification, vascular surgery, multidisciplinary approach, surgical outcomes

How to Cite?: Dr. Akshay Kumar Verma, Dr. Ashish R. Bhiwapurkar, "Carotid Body Tumor; A Pandoras Box for Vascular Surgeons", Volume 14 Issue 8, August 2025, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 682-683, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR25813201214, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR25813201214