Postoperative Quality of Life in Patients with Carotid Body Tumors

Introduction According to the World Health Organization (WHO), paraganglioma of the head and neck has an incidence of 1 in 30000 of all head and neck tumors. Most of the paragangliomas of the carotid body are benign but their surgical excision might influence changes in morbidity and quality of life (QoL).

Methods A systematic retrospective study of patients that underwent excision of carotid body tumors over a 16-year period was conducted. A total of 40 patients’ medical records were analyzed. Validated questionnaires EORTC QLQ-C30 that assessed QoL and an additional disease-related questionnaire, H&N43 were sent to the patients. Among the initial 40 patients, 18 patients participated in the questionnaire. Available information from medical records and the outcome of surgery was compared to the results of QoL after surgery.

Results Postoperative complications (PC) were seen in 52.5% (n=21) of the patients. Cranial nerve injury (CNIN) 45%, carotid artery stenosis 2,5%, stroke 2,5%, and death 2,5%. Out of the 18 patients who completed the questionnaires, 9 of them developed PC. Patients with CNIN had a lower global QoL compared to the group without complications p=0.068. Injury of the vagal nerve showed the lowest score of 25/100. Social functioning was lower in patients with CNIN p=0.041. The severity of symptoms was higher in patients with PC, especially dyspnea p=0.027. The second part of the questionnaire showed a relationship between difficulties with swallowing p=0.06 and social eating 0.024 in patients with PC.

Conclusion Reduced QoL was seen in patients with CNIN and had an impact on everyday life. Damage to CN should be followed by specialists over a long period of time to provide better postoperative care, including psychological support and speech therapy.

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Artikel online veröffentlicht:
12. Mai 2023