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Carotid body tumor (paraganglioma)

Case contributed by Mohammad A. ElBeialy
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Left neck mass.

Patient Data

Age: 52 years
Gender: Female
ultrasound

A hypervascular mass is seen at the left upper lateral neck. 

  • Intensely enhancing mass at the left common carotid artery bifurcation possibly splaying the internal carotid artery and external carotid artery; it measures about 4.5 x 3.5 x 3.0 cm.  The lesion is seen abutting the left pharyngeal wall with slight compression. 
  • no nasopharyngeal mass lesion.
  • Bilateral small likely non specific cervical lymphadenopathy. 
  • Normal both thyroid lobes. 
  • Normal larynx and laryngeal skeleton.

Case Discussion

An intensely enhancing mass lesion seen at the left carotid artery bifurcation splaying the internal and external carotid arteries consistent with carotid body tumor or carotid paraganglioma.

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