J Rhinol.  2024 Mar;31(1):46-51. 10.18787/jr.2023.00072.

Internal Carotid Artery Pseudoaneurysm in a Patient Presenting With Recurrent Epistaxis: A Case Report and Literature Review

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Chosun University College of Medicine, Gwangju, Republic of Korea

Abstract

Traumatic pseudoaneurysms are uncommon vascular lesions that can result from traumatic injuries to the nasal and facial areas. They pose a significant clinical challenge due to their potential to cause recurrent and life-threatening epistaxis. Understanding the underlying vascular anatomy, causes, and treatment options is essential for optimizing patient outcomes. In this case report, we present a 55-year-old man who developed a traumatic pseudoaneurysm of the sphenoid sinus, arising from the cavernous segment of the internal carotid artery following a traumatic incident. This case was successfully managed with stent-assisted coil embolization.

Keyword

Trauma; Epistaxis; Pseudoaneurysm

Figure

  • Fig. 1. Intraoperative endoscopic images. A: Sphenoid sinus opening. B: A soft tissue mass with pulsation, suspicious for a pseudoaneurysm, was seen inside the sphenoid sinus.

  • Fig. 2. Computed tomography angiography findings revealed a pseudoaneurysm arising from the cavernous segment of the internal carotid artery in proximity to the site of trauma (arrow).

  • Fig. 3. Stent-assisted coil embolization of the sphenopalatine artery pseudoaneurysm (arrow in A and B). A: 3D computed tomography angiography. B: Digital subtraction angiography.

  • Fig. 4. After surgery, the coil (arrow) was located in the posterior wall of the sphenoid sinus.


Reference

References

1. El Naamani K, Capone S, Chen CJ, Tartaglino L, Rosen M, Abbas R, et al. Sphenopalatine artery pseudoaneurysm formation following facial trauma: a case report and literature review. Interdiscip Neurosurg. 2023; 32:101741.
Article
2. Chun JJ, Choi CY, Wee SY, Song WJ, Jeong HG. Embolization for treating posttraumatic pseudoaneurysm of the sphenopalatine artery. Arch Craniofac Surg. 2019; 20(4):251–4.
Article
3. O’Brien D Jr, O’Dell MW, Eversol A. Delayed traumatic cerebral aneurysm after brain injury. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1997; 78(8):883–5.
Article
4. Cohen S, Anastassov GE, Chuang SK. Posttraumatic pseudoaneurysm of the sphenopalatine artery presenting as persistent epistaxis: diagnosis and management. J Trauma. 1999; 47(2):396–9.
5. Gökdoğan O, Kizil Y, Aydil U, Karamert R, Uslu S, Ileri F. Sphenopalatine artery pseudoaneurysm: a rare cause of intractable epistaxis after endoscopic sinus surgery. J Craniofac Surg. 2014; 25(2):539–41.
6. Deng D, Du J, Liu F, Zhong B, Qiao Y, Liu Y. Clinical characteristics of internal carotid artery pseudoaneurysms in the sphenoid sinus. Am J Otolaryngol. 2019; 40(1):106–9.
Article
7. Pelliccia P, Bartolomeo M, Iannetti G, Bonafé A, Makeieff M. Traumatic intra-sphenoidal pseudoaneurysm lodged inside the fractured sphenoidal sinus. Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital. 2016; 36(2):149–52.
8. Fujii K, Chambers SM, Rhoton AL Jr. Neurovascular relationships of the sphenoid sinus. A microsurgical study. J Neurosurg. 1979; 50(1):31–9.
9. Chen D, Concus AP, Halbach VV, Cheung SW. Epistaxis originating from traumatic pseudoaneurysm of the internal carotid artery: diagnosis and endovascular therapy. Laryngoscope. 1998; 108(3):326–31.
Article
10. Ellis JA, Goldstein H, Connolly ES Jr, Meyers PM. Carotid-cavernous fistulas. Neurosurg Focus. 2012; 32(5):E9.
Article
11. Hasegawa H, Inoue T, Tamura A, Saito I. Urgent treatment of severe symptomatic direct carotid cavernous fistula caused by ruptured cavernous internal carotid artery aneurysm using high-flow bypass, proximal ligation, and direct distal clipping: technical case report. Surg Neurol Int. 2014; 5:49.
Article
12. Bavinzski G, Killer M, Knosp E, Ferraz-Leite H, Gruber A, Richling B. False aneurysms of the intracavernous carotid artery--report of 7 cases. Acta Neurochir (Wien). 1997; 139(1):37–43.
13. Menon G, Hegde A, Nair R. Post-traumatic cavernous carotid pseudoaneurysm with delayed epistaxis. Cureus. 2018; 10(7):e3002.
Article
14. Matos LEO, Cunha JPP, Monteiro MBC, Rodrigues Filho JA, da Ponte KF, Conrado FM, et al. Internal carotid artery pseudoaneurysm as a cause of epistaxis: case-based update. J Bras Neurocirur. 2022; 33(2):245–50.
Article
15. Hern JD, Coley SC, Hollis LJ, Jayaraj SM. Delayed massive epistaxis due to traumatic intracavernous carotid artery pseudoaneurysm. J Laryngol Otol. 1998; 112(4):396–8.
Article
16. Adeel M, Ikram M. Post-traumatic pseudoaneurysm of internal carotid artery: a cause of intractable epistaxis. BMJ Case Rep. 2012; 2012:bcr0220125927.
17. Sridharan R, Low SF, Mohd MR, Kew TY. Intracavernous internal carotid artery pseudoaneurysm. Singapore Med J. 2014; 55(10):e165–8.
Article
18. Kim JY, Kim YB, Chung J. Recurrent epistaxis from inflamed granulated tissue and an associated pseudoaneurysm of the internal carotid artery: case report. BMC Neurol. 2021; 21(1):215.
Article
19. Moon TH, Kim SH, Lee JW, Huh SK. Clinical analysis of traumatic cerebral pseudoaneurysms. Korean J Neurotrauma. 2015; 11(2):124–30.
Article
20. Kim YW, Baek MJ, Kim HD, Cho KS. Massive epistaxis due to pseudoaneurysm of the sphenopalatine artery: a rare post-operative complication of orthognathic surgery. J Laryngol Otol. 2013; 127(6):610–3.
Article
Full Text Links
  • JR
Actions
Cited
CITED
export Copy
Close
Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Similar articles
Copyright © 2024 by Korean Association of Medical Journal Editors. All rights reserved.     E-mail: koreamed@kamje.or.kr