Carotid Body Tumor in a 10-Year-Old Child

Carotid body tumors (CBTs) are rare neuroendocrine neoplasms arising from paraganglionic tissue at the carotid bifurcation, particularly uncommon in children, with nearly only 29 cases reported worldwide. They are typically benign but may pose significant risks due to their proximity to vital neurovascular structures. Clinical presentation in pediatric patients often involves a painless, pulsatile neck mass. We report the case of a 10-year-old boy with a left-sided neck swelling, diagnosed radiologically as a CBT. The tumor was successfully excised without complications. Histopathology confirmed a moderately differentiated paraganglioma with a low Grading system for Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma score. The patient remains asymptomatic and recurrence-free on follow-up. This case underscores the importance of early diagnosis, careful surgical planning, and long-term monitoring in pediatric CBTs.