Near-syncopal episodes associated with a carotid body tumor

A-24-year-old woman was referred to our institution with daily near-syncope episode. The near-syncope episodes were related to change in head position.Ultrasonography of the neck revealed a hypervascular mass within the left carotid bifurcation with a size of 3.2 cm x 2.2 cm, consistent with a carotid body tumor.Multislice CT angiography demonstrated a large, left-sided carotid body tumor.The tumor involved the carotid arterial wall without disturbing its patency.The mass on the left side of the neck was surgically removed with no complications. Histological analysis showed findings typical of carotid body tumor (paraganglioma) with no sign of malignancy. After removal of the mass, no recurrence and near-syncopal attack occurred during a follow-up 6 months.