Carotid body paraganglioma excision: Anesthetic challenges

Carotid body paraganglioma (CBP) is a rare tumour which arises from chemoreceptor cells of the carotid body situated at the bifurcation of common carotid artery. Most commonly these tumours are benign, however, 5-7% of tumours may turn out as malignant; hence, excision is the rule. Anesthesia for excision poses numerous challenges, as these tumours are highly vascular, sense pH, arterial oxygen tension; may secrete catecholamine or serotonin, generally adhere to the carotid artery and accompanied with a perioperative morbidity of 20-40%. Anesthesia managed successful for excision of a CBP Shamblin Group II tumour avoiding invasive monitoring hence reported.