Carotid artery tumors are also seen in children. It gives symptoms such as shortness of breath, hoarseness, difficulty of swallowing. Professor Dr. Yusuf Kalko stated that the patient they have operated, recently was years old and he has been the youngest patient in the medical literature.
Carotid artery tumors, which present with symptoms such as dyspnea, hoarseness, dysphagia, partial paralysis, are generally benign tumors. Experts emphasize that these tumors are tumors that must be removed and they states that she may cause dangers such as paralysis or suffocation. These tumors have a low chance of surgery due to their location. Tumors can be removed with local anesthesia with the technique developed by Prof.Dr.Yusuf Kalko, Cardiovascular Surgery Specialist. Kalko underlined that such tumors are genetically inherited and he said if those have a family history should be examined for carotid artery tumors.
Prof.Dr.Yusuf Kalko emphasizes that these tumors are generally benign but they should be removed because of the region. At the same time he said that, “A rare disorder, carotid artery tumors are located near the vein leading to the brain, causing hoarseness, shortness of breath and rarely partial paralysis. Carotid artery tumors consist of 3 types.We classified tumors according to; Type 1 which is non-adherent the vein, type 2 is 180 degrees surrounded of the vein, and type 3 is 360 degree surrounded of the vein. Tumors of this type are usually benign, but they must be removed because of their location. This area is close to the tongue, vocal cords, trachea and is a sensitive area. It is also the region of the carotid artery and veins leading to the brain. So we can use the term time bomb for tumors here.”
Sometimes it doesn’t show any symptoms.
Dr.Kalko says carotid artery tumors can progress without any symptoms. He said, “In addition to hoarseness and shortness of breath, difficulty in swallowing may cause a feeling of mass or heaviness in the neck or may progress without any symptoms. There are tumors that can grow up to 15 centimeters but do not show any symptoms and do not show itself from the outside. Sometimes we can talk about tumors in size 3-4 cm and shows itself from the outside. As a result, regardless of the size of the tumor, these are the types of tumors that must be taken in terms of their location. Ear Nose Throat specialists make the diagnosis of carotid tumors. Therefore, in case of any of the symptoms listed above, an Ear Nose and Throat Specialist should be consulted. Genetic transmission is also an important factor in carotid artery tumors. So in the family; If there is a history of carotid tumor in the mother, father and siblings, other family members should also be examined. ”
The carotid artery tumor should be removed as soon as it is seen.
Dr.Kalko emphasized the importance of removing carotid artery tumors as soon as it is seen and he used expression, “There are nerves around the carotid artery where we move our tongue, nerves that move our face, nerve that provides sound, brain veins, breathing tube and food tube. When the carotid tumors grow, they put pressure on them. If the correct intervention is not performed on time, the mass may become very large and the patient may suffocate. In addition, it may be paralyzed, partial paralysis or bevels on the face. Therefore, carotid artery tumors should be removed as soon as they are seen.”.
It is also seen in children.
Dr. Kalko referring to the carotid artery tumors which is seen in children. “The youngest patient in the literature was 8 years old. However, we recently encountered a carotid tumor in a 5-year-old child and we performed the operation. This patient has been the youngest carotid tumor patient in the medical literature. We perform these operations with the appropriate patients under local anesthesia. However because of the age of the patient was very small, we performed the surgery under general anesthesia and successfully received the tumor. ” he said.
Local anesthesia minimizes the risks of surgery
Referring to the advantages of operations performed with local anesthesia Dr.Kalko said, “We routinely apply local anesthesia especially to patients with type 1 and type 2 tumors. We think that type 3 can participate in the future. In addition to the standard risks in general anesthesia, there is also a risk of injury to the nerves in the face and neck. If surgery affects on facial nerve it causes facial paralysis. If it affects the nerves in our voice, it causes hoarseness and if it affects the carotid artery, itcauses stroke. Accidental nerve damage may result in the patient’s death. In local anesthesia, the patient may become uncomfortable, cough or have severe pain as removing the tumor. The precautions are taken accordingly. We receive the tumors from top or the lower region without touching the nerve. In addition, another important point in carotid artery tumors under general anesthesia can be very serious about blood pressure. We did not encounter such a problem in local anesthesia. The operation takes about 1 hour. The patient is admitted to the normal room without going into intensive care. He is discharged in 1-2 days. ”.