Asymptomatic Occipital Area Infarction following Carotid Body Paraganglioma Excision

Background Vascular complications are seen in 2 to 13% of cases with internal carotid artery (ICA) injuries with or without reconstruction. The hypoglossal and vagus appeared most vulnerable for permanent paralysis due to traction or resection. Mortality with surgical excision of carotid body tumor (CBT) has become negligible with newer vascular surgical techniques and the morbidity has fallen to minimal 2.56%. Case report We report a case of 24-year-old female with symptomatic CBT excision with external carotid artery (ECA) ligation. She developed asymptomatic infarction of the occipital lobe. All the cranial nerves were intact with a follow-up uneventful for the past 2 years. Conclusion Minimizing complications in CBT surgery include an accurate preoperative imaging assessment of the tumor with comorbidities and evidence-based management. How to cite this article Rao V, Naik SM, Goutham MK, Appaji M, Bhat S, Hiremat R, Rangnath N, Bhat RSS. Asymptomatic Occipital Area Infarction following Carotid Body Paraganglioma Excision. Int J Head Neck Surg 2014;5(3):148-151.