Carotid body tumours and other cervical paragangliomas: diagnosis and management in 25 patients.

This report of a series of 25 patients with cervical paragangliomas reviews the experience of one surgeon over a period of 13 years. A total of 26 resections were performed with no mortality and no hemiplegia. Two patients required carotid reconstruction. Eight patients had a permanent cranial nerve palsy but in seven this was due to involvement of the nerve by the tumour. Lymph node involvement occurred in two patients. Only one patient has developed recurrent tumour. These tumours are locally malignant and resection offers a chance of cure.