- The Shamblin classification is used to predict surgical morbidity in the excision of carotid body tumours (also known as carotid body paragangliomas or chemodectomas).
- Shamblin et al divided carotid body tumours into 3 types:
- Type I tumours are localized tumours with minimal vascular attachments. These are easily amenable to surgical excision.
- Type II tumours partially surround the carotids. These are amenable to careful surgical excision.
- Type III tumours encase the carotids. Surgical resection is difficult and may require temporary interruption of cerebral circulation and vessel replacement.
- Carotid body tumours are also often associated with Fontaine’s sign and the Lyre sign.
Last updated October 17, 2022
