Korean J Otolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2005 Dec;48(12):1548-1551.

A Case of Traumatic Pseudoaneurysm of the Internal Carotid Artery Found Incidentally during Endoscopic Repair of Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea

• Hur DG
• Shim WS
• Mo JH
• Lee CH

Abstract

Posttraumatic pseudoaneurysm of the internal carotid artery (ICA) is uncommon but potentially becomes a fatal cause of epistaxis. Because the onset of delayed bleeding from the time of injury is variable, a prompt diagnosis of cavernous ICA pseudoaneurysm is often a clinical challenge. Optimal management demands rapid recognition and prompt treatment to give the best functional outcome. Although there are many reports of posttraumatic pseudoaneurysm, most of those cases were presented with epistaxis. We experienced a case of 24-year old female who visited our hospital with complaints of rhinorrhea after traffic accident. During exploration of nasal cavity and sinuses for repairing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage, a huge pseudoaneurysm of left ICA was found in sphenoid sinus. She was successfully treated with endovascular embolization techniques that included detachable balloons. The clinical and radiologic findings in this case are presented.

Keyword

Traumatic; Pseudoaneurysm; Cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea; Incidental findings; Balloon occlusion

MeSH Terms

Accidents, Traffic
Aneurysm, False*
Balloon Occlusion
Carotid Artery, Internal*
Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea*
Cerebrospinal Fluid*
Diagnosis
Epistaxis
Female
Hemorrhage
Humans
Incidental Findings
Nasal Cavity
Sphenoid Sinus
Young Adult