An evaluation on novel application of cone-beam CT imaging with multi-volume technique in carotid body tumor

Due to the high risk of vascular and nerve damage during surgery, precise pre-operative evaluation of carotid body tumor (CBT) is important. We aim to apply intra-operative contrast-enhanced cone-beam CT (CBCT) with multi-volume technique in CBT evaluation, where the tumor, patent carotid arteries, and skull are demonstrated in three different colors, and to compare this novel technique with traditional computed tomography angiography (CTA). Seven CBT patients scheduled for traditional surgical removal were enrolled in this study between October 2013 and March 2016. For each patient, two CBCT scans were performed on the carotid region both pre- and post-operatively, with contrast injected into the common carotid artery directly. CT-like cross-sectional slices were then reconstructed with a dedicated workstation, and a novel multi-volume technique was further applied for advanced image post-processing. For all seven patients, the anatomic relationship between tumor and surrounding vessels was clearly demonstrated by reconstructed CBCT images with multiple fused volumes. Carotid was either completely or partially incarcerated by tumors. Interestingly, two sets of draining vein systems of CBT were found feeding into the internal jugular vein and the anterior vertebral venous plexus, respectively, which have not been revealed in pre-operative CTA. Post-operative CBCT confirmed the thorough removal of the tumor with an intact preservation of the internal carotid artery. CBCT with multi-volume technique outperforms CTA in discovering fine structures and revealing tumor–vessel relationship for CBT. This emerging imaging technique would offer more accurate diagnosis of CBT and assist in the decision of surgical plan.