Combined treatment of embolization followed by surgical resection in carotid paraganglioma

: Carotid body tumors represent a relatively uncommon finding in vascular surgery. We present the case of a 62 years old man with a right carotid paraganglioma diagnosed by cervical ultrasound scanner, magnetic resonance imaging and carotid arteriography. We decided to treat the patient in two times. In a first approach the tumor was percutaneously embolized, later on in a second time the paraganglioma was surgically resected. The patient is doing well without echographic evidence of tumor 3 years after the operation. This modality of treatment, embolization followed by surgical excision is a useful and valuable alternative.