Preoperative Embolization in Carotid Body Tumor Surgery: Is It Required?

Objectives: We compared estimated blood loss (EBL) in patients who underwent surgical excision of carotid body tumors (CBTs) after preoperative superselective angiography with embolization (PSE) with that in patients who underwent excision of CBTs without PSE. Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of a consecutive case series in a single surgeon's practice within an academic tertiary care medical center. Twenty-five patients underwent surgical resection of a CBT from 1989 to 2009. From 1989 to 1996, 10 consecutive patients had PSE of the CBT, whereas the subsequent 15 patients (1996 to 2009) had no PSE. Demographic data including age, sex, and tumor size were collected. The EBL was obtained from intraoperative records and operative notes dictated at the time of surgery. Tumor size was based on preoperative radiographic measurements by a senior radiologist and the surgeon. Results: In the 10 patients with PSE, the mean age was 41 years (range, 22 to 72 years) and the mean tumor size was 4.8 cm (range, 2.9 to 8.3 cm). The mean EBL was 305 mL (range, 50 to 1,000 mL); 2 patients had an EBL of more than 400 mL. In the 15 patients without PSE, the mean age was 43.7 years (range, 20 to 75 years) and the mean tumor size was 4.4 cm (range, 2.8 to 7.9 cm). The mean EBL was 265.6 mL (range, 40 to 900 nth); 2 patients had an EBL of more than 400 mL. There were no significant differences between the 2 groups with regard to age, tumor size, or EBL. Conclusions: Preoperative superselective angiography with embolization of a CBT does not lead to a significant reduction in intraoperative EBL.