Abstract
A carotid body tumor is pathologically a kind of paraganglioma. It is reported that the rate of malignancy is 5-7%. Pathologically, it is difficult to diagnose a malignant carotid body tumor. In most cases, the malignant potential is decided whether the metastasis is occured. Here, we report on a very rare case of a 25-year-old male with a malignant bilateral carotid body tumor discovered by liver metastasis. An abdominal CT revealed that the patient had a tumor of the liver. He underwent an operation to remove the tumor. Pathologically, the tumor was a metastasis of paraganglioma. He was administered FDG-PET, and pointed out the left neck high density area. The HDA was thought to be the primary tumor-a, malignant carotid body tumor. After assessment by MIBG scintigraphy and a balloon occlusion test, we operated to remove the tumor. We exfoliated the capsular adventitial plane by using irrigator bipolar and microscopy. We removed the tumor with the wall of the artery and closed it with a suture. After the operation, the patient is doing very well but we have to watch carefully in case the tumor relapses.
