Early side effects after embolization of a carotid body tumor using Onyx
Received 22 January 2010; accepted 11 April 2010. published online 23 July 2010.
The case of a 20-year-old woman with a carotid body tumor of Shamblin class III is reported. Ten hours after preoperative direct intralesional embolization with 20 mL Onyx (ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer; Micro Therapeutics, Irvine, Calif), the patient showed symptoms of Horner syndrome and deficits of the hypoglossal and glossopharyngeal nerves. Intraoperative examination 12 hours after Onyx embolization revealed a massive swelling of the hypoglossal and glossopharyngeal nerves. The patient's tongue motility and glossopharyngeal function improved after surgery, but Horner syndrome was still present. Owing to the delayed occurrence of these adverse effects, the optimal time of surgical intervention after Onyx embolization should be discussed and perhaps expedited.
aDepartment of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Giessen and Marburg, Campus Marburg, Marburg, Germany
bDepartment of Neuroradiology, University Hospital Giessen and Marburg, Campus Marburg, Marburg, Germany
cDepartment of Neuroradiology, Alfried Krupp Hospital, Essen, Germany
Correspondence: Dr Susanne Wiegand, Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Giessen & Marburg, Campus Marburg, Deutschhausstr 3, 35037 Marburg, Germany
Competition of interest: none.
The editors and reviewers of this article have no relevant financial relationships to disclose per the JVS policy that requires reviewers to decline review of any manuscript for which they may have a competition of interest.
ABSTRACT