Surgical Resection of Painless Carotid Body Tumour without PreoperativeEmbolization: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Paragangliomas are rare tumors representing a therapeutic challenge. We present a case report of surgical resection of carotid body tumor without preoperative embolization. Our therapeutic attitude is based on controversial benefits of the embolization for those tumors. The major indication for the preoperative embolization is to reduce intraoperative blood loss, but this benefit is not demonstrated. Also, because the relative rarity of this tumor, the confounding factors relative to the surgeon and radiologist experience, no randomized trial can be performed. So, our case report can be useful to participate to increase the number of reported cases, and define the therapeutic approach for this rare tumor.