When any abnormal tracers of CBTs were identified, CT or MR scans from those areas were obtained to confirm. Results The CCU failed in a sharp evaluation of tumour size and its superior level in the neck in 2 cases (13.3%) when compared with CT and MR techniques data and with Octreoscan SPECT imaging. Preoperatively, In-111 pentectreotide uptake by nuclear scans (Figure 1) was high in all tumours detected by ultrasounds but one that was a neurinoma originating from vagus nerve as confirmed intraoperatively and by histological data. Figure 1 A) Markedly increased focal Buparlisib solubility dmso tracer uptake in the right cervical region in both

planar and B) SPECT scans due to a massive chemodectoma at the right carotid bifurcation. Compared with SRS-SPECT, CCU showed a good diagnostic accuracy with a sensitivity and a specificity of 100% and 93.7% respectively. Preoperatively ultrasounds data and radioisotopic scan findings were combined to group CBTs on the ground of their estimated size and their relationship

check details with the EPZ-6438 solubility dmso adjacent vessels (Table 2). On the ground of preoperative size measurement, CBTs embolization was carried out for the largest 3 tumors of group II and for the 4 CBTs of group III (43.7%) and led to shrinkage of tumour and reduction of its vascularity in 6 out of 7 cases (85.7%) (figure 2). Figure 2 Conventional angiography showing a carotid body tumor (left) and its selective embolization (right). Table 2 Preoperative classification of Histamine H2 receptor CBTs on ground of size measurements and relationship with adjacent vessels on CCU and radioisotopic scans (111In-pentetreotide scintigraphy -SPECT) Group Numper of patients Mean size on CCU Mean sixe on radioisotopic sacns of CBTs on the ground of size measurements and relationship with adjacent vessels on CCU of CBTs on the ground of size measurements and relationship with adjacent vessels on radioisotopic scans I 5 16 mm 18 mm well defined not adhering II 5 28 mm 31 mm partially defined partially adhering III 5 43 mm 47 mm undefined strongly

adehering At surgery 5 CBTs were classified on size as Shamblin’s class 1 and they all could be easily dissected from carotid arteries since they didn’t adhere to the carotid arteries, 5 were in Shamblin’s class 2 and partially encircled carotid bifurcation; the remaining 5 tumours were in class 3 since they were strongly adherent to carotid vessels and surgical resection in a periadventitial plane was not possible. Table 3 summarizes intraoperative measurements of all tumours; they ranged from 1.4 to 2.7 cm for CBTs in class I (mean size 2.0 cm), from 1.8 to 3.6 cm for class II (mean size 2.7 cm) and from 4.5 to 5.1 cm for class III (mean size 5 cm). Table 3 Intraoperative Shamblin’s classification and size of CBTs Shamblin’s class n° Size range Mean size I 5 1.4-2.7 cm 2.0 cm II 5 1.8-3.6 cm 2.9 cm III 5 4.5-5.1 cm 5.