Improvement in hearing functions after successful carotid body tumor resection

Carotid body tumors (CBTs), also known as paragangliomas, are rare neuroendocrine hypervascularized neoplasms. They are slowly growing pulsatile masses, usually benign, near the carotid arteries. Besides the endocrinological effects of the tumor, compression and hypervascular invasion effects can be also seen. A 63-year-old female patient who had hearing loss in the right ear was admitted to our clinic. Coil embolization was performed to the major arteries feeding the tumor before total excision of the tumor. A decrease in the hearing loss was observed after the operation which might be due to compression and hypervascular steal effects of the tumor. In conclusion, hearing functions can be improved with success CBT resection.