The value of ultrasound for the preoperative assessment of carotid body tumors

Objectives: To evaluate the value of ultrasound (US) examination for the preoperative assessment of carotid body tumors (CBTs) and to predict surgical outcomes. Methods: A total of 15 CBT lesions in 15 patients were included in this study. CBT measurements determined using US, and included maximal diameter, volume, tumor distance to base of skull (DTBOS), and carotid wall infiltration. A correlation analysis was conducted to determine the correlation between US measurements and surgical outcomes, including estimated blood loss (EBL), cranial nerve injury, surgical time, and hospital length of stay (HLOS). Results: EBL showed a high level of correlation with the maximal dimeter (r = 0.596, p < .05) and the volume of the tumor (r = 0.864, p < .05). Surgical time was positively correlated with tumor volume (r = 0.592, p < .05) and negatively correlated with DTBOS (r =-0.554, p < .05). There was no significant correlation (p > .05) shown between cranial nerve injury and US variables. HLOS showed the high degree of correlation with the maximal dimeter (r = 0.658, p < .05), and was also negatively correlated with DTBOS (r =-0.620, p < .00). Conclusions: US examination allows for the visualization of features of CBTs, which is a useful and safe tool to be used to predict surgical outcomes. Further research is necessary to validate this exploration method for the preoperative assessment of CBTs.