Background: Ascending pharyngeal artery-internal jugular vein fistulas are rare. Only 2 spontaneous cases and one complicated neck surgery have been reported. We describe a trauma-induced case.
Case description: A 31-year-old man presented left-sided tinnitus and a pulsating bruit for 5 months after head trauma. Cerebral angiography demonstrated a fistula between the left ascending pharyngeal artery and left internal jugular vein. Embolization of the fistula was performed using platinum fibrous microcoils.
Conclusions: This case and a review of the literature illustrate the causes, manifestations, image studies, and treatment for a fistula between the ascending pharyngeal artery and internal jugular vein.