Sonography of a Carotid Body Tumor: A Case Report

A carotid body tumor is typically a benign mass and can have a low malignant potential. It can grow in between, attach to, or surround the internal carotid artery and external carotid artery in the neck. If this mass grows too big, it can compress the two arteries, causing problems in getting blood flow to the brain. The purpose for this sonography examination was to evaluate a patient with the following symptoms: dizziness, facial nerve injury, and sensorineural hearing loss. The carotid body tumor is a highly vascular tumor. This sonography examination provides a good opportunity to teach the importance of the use of color Doppler and proper documentation of this pathology that is often incorrectly documented with improper settings. This case reviews a 69-year-old Caucasian male with a carotid body tumor. The sonographic features, prevalence, common symptoms, prognosis, and treatments of the carotid body tumor are reviewed.