A carotid body tumor (CBT) may present with a range of clinical findings.
The most common finding is a mass in the lateral neck and is
(1) usually unilateral
(2) usually painless
(3) sometimes pulsating
(4) shows a positive Fontaine sign (movable horizontally but not vertically)
Less often the mass may be associated with:
(1) headache
(2) hoarseness
(3) carotid bruit
(4) cranial nerve deficits
(5) Horner's syndrome
(6) facial nerve deficit
Only a small percentage secrete catecholamines. These may be associated with:
(1) tachycardia
(2) hypertension
(3) diaphoresis
To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.
Specialty: Hematology Oncology