Carotid body tumour
Background
Carotid body tumours are rare neoplasms. They are paragangliomas occurring in the soft tissue adjacent to the bifurcation of the carotid artery.1,2
Record the patient identifying information and any clinical information supplied together with the specimen description as designated on the container. See overview page for more detail on identification principles.
- No
- Non-routine fixation (not formalin), describe.
- Yes
- Special studies required, describe.
- Ensure samples are taken prior to fixation.
- Not performed
- Performed, describe type and result
- Frozen section
- Imprints/cytology
- Other, specify
See general information for more detail on specimen handling procedures.
Inspect the specimen and dictate a macroscopic description.
External Inspection
Orientate and identify the anatomical features of the specimen.
Record additional orientation or designation provided by operating clinician:
- Absent
- Present
- Method of designation (e.g. suture, incision)
- Featured denoted
If unable to orientate or if ambiguities exist, contact the on-call pathologist or surgeon.
Photograph the intact specimen if required.
Describe the following features of the specimen:
Procedure
Describe as stated by the clinician.
- Cartoid body tumour
- Other, describe
Specimen laterality
Specimen integrity
- Intact
- Disrupted, describe
Anatomical components included (more than one may apply) and specimen dimensions (mm)
Describe and measure the components present.
- Specimen size in three dimensions2
- Recognisable anatomical components (e.g. artery etc)
Dissection
Paint the outer surface with ink.1 Serially section the specimen transversely at 3-4mm intervals.2
Internal Inspection
Describe the internal or cut surface appearance including the following items:
Tumour
- Absent
- Present
- Number; if more than one tumour, designate and describe each tumour separately
Tumour size (mm)
- In three dimensions (if not the entire specimen)2
Tumour appearance
- Colour
- Nodular1
- Haemorrhagic2
- Necrotic2
- Encapsulated2
- Infiltrative2
Distance from margins (mm)
- Distance of tumour to the nearest surgical margin or to marked vessels and nerves2
Photograph the dissected specimen if required.
Note photographs taken, diagrams recorded and markings used for identification
Processing
Submit one section per 10mm maximum dimension of tissue.1,2 Focus on sampling haemorrhagic and necrotic-appearing areas as well as areas of possible invasion.2
If surrounding soft tissue is present, check carefully for lymph nodes and submit all for processing.1
Record details of each cassette.
An illustrated block key similar to the one provided may be useful.
Block allocation key
|
Cassette id
|
Site
|
No. of pieces
|
|
A
|
Carotid body tumour
|
|
Acknowledgements
Prof Alfed Lam for his contribution in reviewing and editing this protocol.
References
-
Lester SC. Manual of Surgical Pathology. Philadelphia: Saunders Elsevier; 2010.
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