Pseudoaneurysm of the left internal carotid artery following tonsillectomy

Vasa. 2011 Nov;40(6):491-4. doi: 10.1024/0301-1526/a000153.

Abstract

Internal carotid artery pseudoaneurysm is a rare complication of deep neck infections. The authors report the case of a 17-year-old male who presented to the Department of Otorhinolaryngology with an acute tonsillitis requiring tonsillectomy. Four weeks after the surgery the patient was readmitted because of progressive swallowing, trismus, and worsening headache. Computed tomography revealed a pseudoaneurysm of the left internal carotid artery in the extracranial segment. A bare Wallstent was implanted primarily and a complete occlusion of the pseudoaneurysm was achieved. The endovascular approach is a quick and safe method for the treatment of a pseudoaneurysm of the internal carotid artery.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Aneurysm, False / diagnostic imaging*
  • Aneurysm, False / therapy
  • Angiography
  • Carotid Artery Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Carotid Artery Diseases / therapy
  • Carotid Artery, Internal / diagnostic imaging*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Postoperative Complications / diagnostic imaging*
  • Postoperative Complications / therapy
  • Stents
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Tonsillectomy*
  • Tonsillitis / diagnostic imaging
  • Tonsillitis / surgery*