Malignant Shamblin III Carotid Body Tumors Resected with Use of the Retrocarotid Dissection Technique in 2 Patients

Carotid body tumors are rare neoplasms with malignant potential in 6% to 12.5% of cases, and surgical resection is the only cure. We present the cases of 2 female patients who had expanding, painless, right-sided neck masses; computed tomographic angiograms revealed Shamblin III tumors at the carotid bifurcation. Each patient underwent tumor resection with use of the retrocarotid dissection technique. The tumor specimens were histologically consistent with malignancy, and free margins were achieved. The patients remained free of symptoms, local recurrence, and metastasis 44 and 19 months after their respective procedures. These are the first malignant Shamblin III carotid body tumors that we have resected by means of retrocarotid dissection. In addition to our patients' cases, we discuss carotid body tumors and compare the retrocarotid and standard caudocranial resection techniques.