RS11 - Multidisciplinary Management and Outcomes of Carotid Body Tumor Resection

Thursday, June 11, 2026

9:12 AM - 9:19 AM ET

Location: Hynes CC, Third Level, Ballroom B

Submitting & Presenting Author(s)

Janice Nam, MD (she/her/hers)

Integrated Vascular Surgery Resident
University of Washington
Seattle, Washington

Co-Author(s)

NS

Nicolas A. Stafforini

Integrated Vascular Surgery Resident
University of Washington
EC

Estephania Candelo Gomez
Sara L. Zettervall, MD

Associate Professor of Surgery
Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
University of Washington, Seattle WA, Washington
Matthew P. Sweet

Professor of Surgery
University of Washington
Seattle, Washington

Senior Author Discussant(s)

Sara L. Zettervall, MD

Associate Professor of Surgery
Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
University of Washington, Seattle WA, Washington

Objectives: Carotid body tumors (CBTs) are rare paragangliomas arising at the carotid bifurcation and present significant surgical challenges due to hypervascularity and proximity to critical neurovascular structures. Management frequently requires a multidisciplinary approach involving otolaryngology (ENT) and vascular surgery (VS). Tumor size and Shamblin classification are commonly used to stratify operative complexity and perioperative risk, while the benefit of preoperative embolization remains controversial. This study evaluates contemporary practice patterns and clinical outcomes following CBT resection.

Methods: This retrospective study analyzed 68 patients who underwent CBT resection between 2004 and 2025. Demographics, co-morbidities, symptoms, imaging, tumor characteristics, operative details, specialist evaluation, and postoperative outcomes were collected. Tumors were classified using the Shamblin system. Kruskal–Wallis tests compared Shamblin class with tumor size and complications. Spearman correlation assessed the relationship between tumor size and operative time. Logistic regression evaluated associations between tumor size and postoperative outcomes.

Results: Patients were predominantly female (72%) with a median age of 48 years. Tumors were predominantly Shamblin class II (60.8%), followed by class III (30.4%) and class I (7.2%). Genetic mutation was found in 7 patients (10.2%). Tumor size demonstrated a positive correlation with operative time (p < 0.0001). (Figure I). Preoperative embolization was performed in 57% of the patients and was not associated with differences in operative time or blood loss regardless of Shamblin class. The majority of patients were evaluated pre-operatively by both ENT and VS teams (58.8%); followed by ENT alone (29.4%) and VS alone (7.3%). A small portion of patients were evaluated by Neurosurgery (4.4%). Arterial reconstruction was performed in 8% of patients, 2 patients (2.8%) underwent internal carotid artery (ICA) bypass, 1 patient (1.4%) underwent end-to-end anastomosis of common carotid artery and ICA, and 3 patients (4%) underwent external carotid artery ligation. Median intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS) was 1.5 days and median hospital LOS was 4.4 days. (Table I)Dysphagia occurred in 17.6% of patients and was significantly more frequent in tumor ≥30 mm (25% vs 6.7% p = 0.044), without an associated increase in PEG placement. There was no peri-operative mortality.

Conclusions: CBT resection can be performed safely in a multidisciplinary surgical approach. Tumor size is associated with operative time and postoperative dysphagia, whereas preoperative embolization was not associated with reductions in operative time or blood loss. These findings highlight tumor size as a key determinant of operative complexity and support the selective use of preoperative embolization.