Convulsive syncope as presenting symptom of carotid body tumors: Case series
A 37-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of repeated attack of loss of consciousness for the last 3 months without any predisposing factor, aura and postictal period with duration of some seconds; her relative said that she became pale and unresponsive and sometimes ending to clonic movements of limbs when she did not have a recombinant position. She was healthy otherwise. The drug history and family history of epilepsy was negative; neurological examination was unremarkable but general examination revealed bilateral non tender, mobile, well defined masses in her neck.\nEEG did not show any epileptic discharges. ECG showed sinus rhythm at a rate of 70 beats/min, other cardiac investigation, including echocardiography and treadmill exercise test were in a normal range. Brain MRI showed no abnormality. Because of the neck masses multi slice CT angiography of the neck was done and revealed enhanced mass lesions on the carotid bifurcation bilateraly. Common carotid arteries, internal carotid arteries, vertebrobasilar arteries and thyroid glands were normal; these findings were mostly consistent with CBT. Cervical MRA and Doppler sonograghy confirmed this diagnosis.\nSurgery was performed for neck mass on the both sides. A 4 cm × 5 cm mass was removed from right carotid bifurcation and 3 cm × 4 cm mass from left side too. The patient passed post-operative period successfully and in the follow-up work up she became free from her pervious symptoms.