[Experience of surgical treatment of carotid body tumor after preoperative embolization of feeding vessels].

Objective: To evaluate the effect of preoperative embolization of the feeding vessels of carotid body tumor in the treatment thereof.

Methods: 33 patients with carotid body tumors not less than 3 cm in diameter were examined by color Doppler ultrasound. Polyvinyl alcohol particle 250-1000 microm in diameter were suspended in meglumine diatrizoate or Ultravist and then injected via microcatheter into the feeding vessels until detainment or reflux was seen. Operation was performed 1 day later on 23 patients and 4 days later on 10 patients. External carotid artery to internal carotid artery bypass was performed on 1 case, anastomosis of common carotid to internal carotid artery with auto-saphenous vein interposition on 3 cases, and repair of internal carotid artery on 1 case.

Results: One-stage resection was completed on all tumors. One case suffered contralateral hemiplegia two times in the operative day, on the next day the contralateral lower limb could move, but the patient could not speak clearly and his tongue was not in right position, after 3 months he was completely recovered and MRI illustrated cranial infarction.

Conclusion: An important adjunct in treating large carotid body tumor, preoperative embolization makes the surgical exploration proceed much smoother, blood loss become less, and morbidity lower.