A Vascular Malformation in the Carotid Sheath at the Carotid Bifurcation Mimicking Carotid Body Tumor. (February 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gao, Xixiang; Li, Yang; Meng, Liang; Tong, Zhu; Guo, Lianrui; Zhang, Jian; Gu, Yongquan
• Is Part Of: Vascular & endovascular surgery. Volume 54:Number 2(2020)
• Page Start: 195
• Page End: 197
• Publication Date: 2020-02
• Subjects: carotid sheath -- vascular anomaly -- vascular malformation -- carotid body tumor; Blood-vessels -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Blood-vessels -- Endoscopic surgery -- Periodicals; Vascular Surgical Procedures -- Periodicals; Angioplasty -- Periodicals; Surgical Procedures, Minimally Invasive -- Periodicals; Vascular Diseases -- surgery -- Periodicals; Vaisseaux sanguins -- Chirurgie -- Périodiques; Vaisseaux sanguins -- Chirurgie endoscopique -- Périodiques; 617.41
• DOI: 10.1177/1538574419879849
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1538-5744

Abstract

Background: The carotid sheath contains clinically important and vital anatomical neurogenic, vascular, and lymphatic structures that allow for a great variety of lesions. Vascular anomalies found in the carotid sheath are rarely reported and may be easily misdiagnosed as arterial aneurysms, neurogenic tumors, paragangliomas, or lymphatic masses. Method: We present a 60-year-old woman with a vascular malformation arising within the carotid sheath at the right carotid bifurcation, which mimics carotid body tumor. Result: The mass was excised successfully with an uneventful postoperative course, and histological analysis suggested a vascular malformation with thin-walled blood vessels, lined by endothelial cells and separated by fibrous tissue. The patient was in good clinical condition without signs of relapse of the mass at 6-month follow-up. Conclusion: Vascular malformation is a rare but existing possibility of pathology in the carotid sheath, which can be effectively removed by meticulous surgery.