Surgical management of extracranial carotid artery aneurysms

Infective Native Extracranial Carotid Artery Aneurysms: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Infective native extracranial carotid artery aneurysms are rare, and their management is variable due to a lack of evidence assessing outcomes.

METHODS

We performed a systematic literature review following PRISMA guidelines to identify all reported cases of infective native extracranial carotid artery aneurysms between January 1970 and March 2021.

RESULTS

This study identified 193 infective native aneurysms of the extracranial carotid artery from 154 sources. Patients were predominantly male (71.4%), and age ranged from 6 months to 89 years old. The most common presenting features were a neck mass and fever, but also included hemorrhage, respiratory distress, and neurological symptoms. Most aneurysms were located in the internal carotid artery (47.4%). Staphylococcus (23.3%) was the most commonly identified causative pathogen, followed by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (20.9%). Most appeared to become infected by direct local spread. Treatment strategies involved open surgical methods in 101 cases and an endovascular approach in 41 cases. In 4 cases, a hybrid method involving concurrent endovascular and open surgical management was undertaken. In 5 cases, there was antibiotic treatment alone. In the open surgery-treated group, the complication rate was 20.8% compared to 13.2% in the endovascular group. Mortality rate was 5.6%.

CONCLUSIONS

Our review identified 193 cases of infective native extracranial carotid artery aneurysms. Direct local spread of a staphylococcus infection was the commonest cause. Endovascular management was associated with fewer early complications than open surgical management.

Etiology and treatment patterns of ruptured extracranial carotid artery aneurysm

OBJECTIVE

Rupture of an extracranial carotid artery aneurysm (ECAA) is a very rare and life-threatening condition. To obtain a comprehensive view of previous and current management of ruptured ECAAs (rECAAs), we analyzed all cases reported since 1940 and two of our own cases.

METHODS

We performed a comprehensive literature review of reports from the MEDLINE database on rECAAs and included two patients treated in our department.

RESULTS

A total 58 reports of 74 rECAAs in 74 patients were analyzed. Their mean age was 50 years, and the male/female ratio was 2.2:1. Infection was the most common reported etiology (19 of 74; 26%), followed by connective tissue disorder (13 of 74; 18%), atherosclerosis (9 of 74; 12%), and previous trauma (5 of 74; 7%). For 28 patients (38%), information on the etiology was not available. Of the 74 patients, 24 (32%) had undergone reconstructive surgery, 10 (14%) had undergone endovascular treatment, 17 (23%) had undergone ligation, 2 (3%) had been treated conservatively, and 1 (1%) had died before receiving definite treatment. For 20 patients (27%), information on the treatment received was not available. The complications after reconstruction included carotid blowout (3 of 24 patients; 13%) and cranial nerve deficit (3 of 24 patients; 13%). Two patients (8%) had died of unrelated ECAA causes during long-term follow-up, and one patient (4%) had died of an ECAA-related cause within 30 days. After an endovascular approach, 1 of the 10 patients had developed a cranial nerve deficit. After ligation, five patients (29%) had experienced stroke, three of which were fatal. One conservatively treated patient had experienced no complications and one had died of an ECAA-related cause.

CONCLUSIONS

The most common reported etiology for rECAA was infection. Reconstructive surgery was the most common approach and was safer than ligation, which carried a high risk of stroke. Endovascular treatment showed promising results, especially for distally located aneurysms; however, the number of patients has remained low.

Long-term results of polytetrafluoroethylene versus saphenous vein repair of degenerative carotid artery aneurysm

OBJECTIVE

To compare the results of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and great saphenous vein (GSV) bypass after resection of a degenerative aneurysm of the carotid artery.

METHODS

From January 1994 to November 2017, 37 patients (27 men) with a mean age of 58 years (range, 39-82 years) with a degenerative aneurysm of the carotid artery (median diameter, 28 mm; range, 19-42 mm), underwent resection of the aneurysm followed by a bypass with either a GSV (n = 10) or a PTFE prosthesis (n = 27). Although 31 patients were asymptomatic, 6 patients were symptomatic: transient ischemic attack (n = 4), minor stroke (n = 1), and compression of the hypoglossal nerve (n = 1). The preoperative workup included duplex ultrasound examination of the arteries to the head, and angiography or computed tomography angiography. All patients were operated under general anesthesia and six were intubated through the nose. Sixteen patients were monitored through transcutaneous oximetry. No shunt was used in this series. In 10 patients receiving a PTFE graft, the external carotid artery was implanted in the prosthesis. Mean follow-up was 16.9 ± 2 years (95% confidence interval, 14.5-19.3 years). Primary end points were the 30-day combined stroke/death rate, graft infection, late graft patency, and late stroke-free survival. Secondary end points were cranial nerve injury and length of postoperative hospital stay.

RESULTS

Postoperative mortality was nil in both groups. One postoperative stroke was observed in the PTFE group, whereas none occurred in the GSV group (P = .84). No graft infection was observed in either group. At 10 years, survival in the GSV group was 80 ± 12%, and survival in the PTFE group was 76 ± 8% (log-rank [Mantel-Cox], P = .85). In the GSV group, graft patency at 7 and 10 years was 85 ± 13%. In the PTFE group B, graft patency was 100% (log-rank [Mantel-Cox], P = .12). No late stroke was observed. Two transient cranial nerve injuries were observed in the GSV group (20%) and two in the PTFE group (8%) (P = .97). Length of hospital stay was comparable in both groups (GSV group, 6 days; PTFE group, 5 days; P = .12).

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that, after resection of a degenerative aneurysm of the carotid artery, bypass with a PTFE prosthesis gives comparable results to those obtained with the GSV. We recommend sparing the GSV and instead using a PTFE prosthesis in patients with a degenerative aneurysm of the carotid artery.

Extracranial Internal Carotid Artery Aneurysm in a Patient with Marfan Syndrome

Extracranial internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysms are rare and most of them are considered of atherosclerotic etiology. Marfan syndrome (MS) is a systemic connective tissue disorder caused by mutation in the extracellular matrix protein fibrillin 1. Clinical manifestations of the MS include aortic aneurysms, dislocation of the ocular lens, and long bone overgrowth. The presence of extracranial ICA aneurysm in patients with MS is very rare. We report a 62-year-old female patient with MS presented with an extracranial ICA aneurysm. She was treated with aneurysmectomy and end-to-end anastomosis, with good outcomes. Only 10 cases of patients with MS and extracranial ICA aneurysm have been described in the literature. Clinical presentation, treatment, and outcome of these patients are reviewed and discussed.

Management of extracranial carotid artery aneurysm

INTRODUCTION

Aneurysms of the extracranial carotid artery (ECAA) are rare. Several treatments have been developed over the last 20 years, yet the preferred method to treat ECAA remains unknown. This paper is a review of all available literature on the risk of complications and long-term outcome after conservative or invasive treatment of patients with ECAA.

METHODS

Reports on ECAA treatment until July 2014 were searched in PubMed and Embase using the key words aneurysm, carotid, extracranial, and therapy.

RESULTS

A total of 281 articles were identified. Selected articles were case reports (n = 179) or case series (n = 102). Papers with fewer than 10 patients were excluded, resulting in the final selection of 39 articles covering a total of 1,239 patients. Treatment consisted of either conservative treatment in 11% of the cases or invasive treatment in 89% of the cases. Invasive treatment comprised surgery in 94%, endovascular approach in 5%, and a hybrid approach in 1% of the patients. The most common complication described after invasive therapy was cranial nerve damage, which occurred in 11.8% of patients after surgery. The 30 day mortality rate and stroke rate in conservatively treated patients was 4.67% and 6.67%, after surgery 1.91% and 5.16%. Information on confounders in the present study was incomplete. Therefore, adjustments to correct for confounding by indication could not be done.

CONCLUSIONS

This review summarizes the largest available series in the literature on ECAA management. The number of ECAAs reported in current literature is scarce. The early and long-term outcome of invasive treatment in ECAA is favorable; however, cranial nerve damage after surgery occurs frequently. Unfortunately, due to limitations in reporting of results and confounding by indication in the available literature, it was not possible to determine the optimal treatment strategy. There is a need for a multicenter international registry to reveal the optimal treatment for ECAA.

[Internal carotid aneurysm of dysphasic origin]

Extracranial carotid aneurysms are rare, but are of significant clinical interest due to the high risk of cerebral embolism. Despite considerable progress in endovascular techniques, surgical treatment of these aneurysms remains the golden standard. We report the case of a 50-year-old man who presented an aneurysm of the left internal carotid artery measuring 46 × 26 mm. Resection of the aneurysm with interposition of a prosthetic graft was performed. The postoperative course was uneventful. Pathology reported that the aneurysmal sac probably had a dysplastic origin.

Covered stent treatment for an aneurysm of a saphenous vein graft to the common carotid artery

Aneurysmal degeneration of a saphenous vein graft is a rare complication and, so far, only three cases involving a carotid artery have been described. We report the case of a patient with a cervical neoplasm presenting carotid invasion, who underwent en bloc tumor resection and carotid reconstruction with a saphenous vein graft. Six years later, during follow-up, an aneurysm of the carotid graft was detected. Endovascular intervention was performed using a covered stent. Three years after this intervention, the patient was found to be asymptomatic, and computed tomography showed that the covered stent was patent, without complications.

Carotid Artery Pseudoaneurysm After Carotid Endarterectomy: Case Series and a Review of the Literature

Background: Pseudoaneurysm (PA) after carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is a rare complication with incidence less than 1%. There is a potential for rupture, embolization, thrombosis or compression of cranial nerves. Objective: We reviewed our experience and compare it to the literature to raise awareness of this rare though serious condition. It is crucial to treat these patients early to avoid the hazardous consequences. Methods: A review of the case records of patients who had CEA at University Hospital Birmingham (UHB) NHS Foundation Trust from 1990-2007, was undertaken. Information of patients including their aetiology, presenting features, treatment and results was collected. The English-language literature was searched using PubMed database for post CEA pseudoaneurysm. Results: Five patients developed post CEA PA. This represents 0.4% of the 1200 CEA performed at our hospital in the last 18 years. The timing of their presentation varied from three days to eight months after the original operation. All had patch reconstruction after CEA. Patches were intact at exploration of the PAs. There was one death and one stroke. The literature revealed 154 carotid PAs after CEA and two cases following carotid stenting 52 of these cases had infected PA. Patients with synthetic patches have the least incidence of infection. More than 80% had open surgery and 9% had endovascular repair. Conclusion: Post CEA surveillance is necessary to detect patients with PA early. Factors that favour infection must be avoided. Endovascular repair of carotid PA should be encouraged in specialised centres.

Dysphagia and hoarse voice: an unusual cause

We report an unusual presentation and successful treatment of an extracranial skull base carotid aneurysm. The patient presented with a combination of multiple cranial nerve dysfunction and local mass effect. After endovascular treatment of this rare condition her symptoms resolved. The radiological images submitted demonstrate this rare condition well.

[Surgical treatment of a giant extracranial internal carotid artery aneurysm--a case report]

INTRODUCTION

True aneurysms of the extracranial internal carotid artery are rare lesions. Surgical treatment is considered to be the best therapeutic option. However, the use of the intraluminal shunt remains controversial.

CASE REPORT

We reported a case of a giant extracranial internal carotid artery aneurysm treated by reconstructive surgery. A 76-year-old woman was referred with a pulsatile mass inside her mouth, associated with dizziness and dysarthria. There was no history of cerebrovascular symptoms, neck pain, or cervical trauma. A magnetic resonance scan showed a 45 mm aneurysm of the internal carotid artery (ICA), and kinking of ICA. Angiography demonstrated a saccular ICA aneurysm, with a lengthening and tortuosity of the ICA. The aneurysm and the carotid artery branches were easily exposed through a standard anterior cervical incision. After resection of the aneurysm, a Javid shunt was inserted between the common and internal carotid arteries, and end-to-end repair of ICA was easily performed due to ICA redundancy. The aneurysm was of atherosclerotic origin. Four months after the operation, the patient showed a complete recovery from peripheral neurological deficit.

DISCUSSION

Our results show that surgical reconstruction is a satisfactory therapeutic choice in the management of extracranial carotid artery aneurysms in order to avoid rupture, thromboembolism and cerebrovascular insufficiency. To date, there has been little experience with endoluminal exclusion techniques and the long-term effectiveness is still uncertain.

Carotid Artery Aneurysms: Serbian Multicentric Study

This multicentric Serbian study presents the treatment of 91 extracranial carotid artery aneurysms in 76 patients (13 had bilateral lesions). There were 61 (80.3%) male and 15 (19.7%) female patients, with an average age of 61.4 years. The aneurysms were caused by atherosclerosis in 73 cases (80.2%), trauma in six (6.6%), previous carotid surgery in six (6.6%), tuberculosis in one (1.1%), and fibromuscular dysplasia in five (5.5%). The majority (61 cases or 67%) of the aneurysms involved the internal carotid artery, 29 (31.9%) the common carotid artery bifurcation, and one (1.1%) the external carotid artery. Forty-five (49.4%) aneurysms were fusiform, while 46 (50.6%) were saccular. Twenty-nine (31.9%) cases were totally asymptomatic at the time of diagnosis. The remainder presented with compression in 14 (15.4%) cases, stroke in 11 (12.1%) cases, transient ischemic attack in 33 (36.3%) cases, and rupture in four (4.4%) cases. In cases where the aneurysm involved the internal carotid artery, four surgical procedures were performed: aneurysmectomy with end-to-end anastomosis in 30 (33.0%) cases, aneurysmectomy with vein graft interposition in 20 (22.0%) cases, aneurysmectomy with anastomosis between external and internal carotid artery in eight (8.8%) cases, and aneurysmectomy followed by arterial ligature in three cases. One case of external carotid artery aneurysm also was treated by aneurysmectomy and ligature. Aneurysm replacement with Dacron graft was performed in 29 (31.9%) cases where common carotid artery bifurcation was involved. Two (2.2%) patients died after the operation due to a stroke. They had ruptured internal carotid artery aneurysm treated by aneurysmectomy and ligature. Including these, a total of five (5.5%) postoperative strokes occurred. In two (2.2%) cases, transient cranial nerve injuries were found. Excluding the five patients who were lost to follow-up, 69 other surviving patients were followed from 2 months to 12 years (mean 5 years and 3 months). In this period, there were no new neurological events and all reconstructed arteries were patent. Three patients died more than 5 years after the operation, due to myocardial infarction. Aneurysms of the extracranial carotid arteries are rare vascular lesions that produce a high incidence of unfavorable neurological sequelae. Because of their varied etiology, location, and extension, different vascular procedures have to be used during repair of extracranial carotid artery aneurysms. In all of these procedures, an aneurysmectomy with arterial reconstruction is necessary.

Anévrismes de l’artère carotide interne extra-crânienne : à propos de 2 cas

INTRODUCTION

Aneurysms of the extracranial portion of the internal carotid artery (ICA) are rare (accounting for only 0.1-2% of all surgical procedures affecting the ICA, 0.4-1% of all arterial aneurysms, and 4% of all aneurysms involving peripheral arteries), but they are nonetheless clinically significant because of the high related risk of cerebral thromboembolism. Given the rarity of these lesions, it seems worthwhile to report on two extracranial ICA aneurysms, one of atherosclerotic, the other of fibrodysplastic etiology that came under our observation.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Our experience concerns just two cases, treated at the Department of Surgical and Gastroenterological Sciences of the Policlinico G.B. Rossi in Verona, presenting with very different clinical and instrumental findings, and requiring a different surgical treatment. The former underwent resection of the aneurysm and end-to-end reconstruction; in the latter, we performed a carotid transposition with internalization of the external carotid artery.

RESULTS

Neither patient suffered from any major or minor neurological complications during or after surgery, and the follow-up confirmed a normal extracranial carotid patency.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on our, albeit limited experience and an analysis of the literature, we make a few points concerning the diagnostic approach (which differs from the case of stenosing carotid lesions), the indications and type of treatment for extracranial ICA aneurysms.

Traumatic bilateral ECCA injury in a roller coaster enthusiast

Vascular and trauma surgeons have seen a marked increase in the incidence of traumatic injury of the ECCA. Making the diagnosis is straightforward, but requires a high index of suspicion. This patient's injury is from hyperextension/flexion trauma that occurred from repetitive rides on roller coasters.

Giant Aneurysm of the Cervical Internal Carotid Artery Treated by Proximal Coil Embolization under Temporary Balloon Occlusion

SUMMARY

We report a patient with a giant aneurysm on the left cervical internal carotid artery (ICA) treated successfully by proximal coil occlusion. Fibered platinum coils were delivered via a 5-F catheter under temporary balloon occlusion of the proximal ICA and without complications. MR imaging ten months after the procedure showed the aneurysm to be reduced in size and sub totally thrombosed. Retrograde partial filling of the aneurysmal lumen was present, however. We describe the case in detail and discuss the ideal treatment of the cervical ICA aneurysm.

Infected postcarotid endarterectomy pseudoaneurysms: retrospective review of a series

The development of infected pseudoaneurysms (PAs) following carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is extremely rare. We retrospectively reviewed the data from 13 such aneurysms (in 12 patients) repaired over a period of 35 years at the Texas Heart Institute (THI) and included an overview of published cases to analyze the epidemiology, mode of presentation, methods of repair, and outcome. The diagnosis of PA should be considered when a patient develops a persistent hematoma, recurrent bleeding from the wound, or late wound infection. Sepsis is occasionally a presenting symptom. Surgical therapy for infected PAs can be challenging; excision of the aneurysm followed by autologous grafting constitutes the favored approach. Traditionally, Dacron patch repair has been associated with a high incidence of reinfection. Carotid artery ligation is required in a large percentage of cases (22.7%) and is associated with a prohibitive rate of death/major stroke (50%) compared with a low (12%) risk following arterial reconstruction. Prevention and early diagnosis of infected PAs are essential to limit complications and mortality.

Surgical treatment of extracranial internal carotid artery aneurysms

PURPOSE

Extracranial internal carotid artery aneurysms (EICAs) can be treated by carotid ligation or surgical reconstruction. In the consideration of the risk of stroke after internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion, the aim of this study was to report the results of reconstructive surgery for these aneurysms, including lesions located at the base of the skull.

METHODS

From 1980 to 1997, 25 ICA reconstructions were performed for EICA: 22 male patients and 3 female patients (mean age, 54.4 years). The cause was atherosclerosis (n = nine patients), dysplasia (n = 12 patients), trauma (n = three patients), and undetermined (n = one patient). The symptoms were focal in 15 cases (12 hemispheric, three ocular), nonfocal in three cases (trouble with balance and visual blurring), and glossopharyngeal nerve compression in one case. Six cases were asymptomatic, including three cases that were diagnosed during surveillance after ICA dissection. In nine cases, the upper limit of the EICA reached the base of the skull. A combined approach with an ear, nose, and throat surgeon allowed exposure and control of the ICA.

RESULTS

After operation, there were no deaths, one temporary stroke, two transient ischemic attacks, and 11 cranial nerve palsies (one with sequelae). The ICA was patent on the postoperative angiogram in all but one case. During follow-up (mean, 66 months), there were two deaths (myocardial infarction), one occurrence of focal epileptic seizure at 2 months, and one transient ischemic attack at 2 years. In December 1998, duplex scanning showed patency of the reconstructed ICA in all but one surviving patient.

CONCLUSION

Surgical reconstruction is a satisfactory therapeutic choice for EICA, even when located at the base of the skull.

Neurovascular manifestations of heritable connective tissue disorders. A review

BACKGROUND

Heritable disorders of connective tissue are recognized in a small minority of patients with neurovascular diseases. In this report, we review the neurovascular manifestations of four heritable connective tissue disorders: Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Marfan's syndrome, osteogenesis imperfecta, and pseudoxanthoma elasticum, as well as two other systemic disorders with potential vascular manifestations: neurofibromatosis and polycystic kidney disease.

SUMMARY OF REVIEW

Typical neurovascular complications of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome are carotid-cavernous fistulae, intracranial aneurysms, and cervical artery dissections. Arterial dissections and intracranial aneurysms cause the majority of neurovascular symptoms in Marfan's syndrome. Neurovascular disease is uncommon in osteogenesis imperfecta, although carotid-cavernous fistulae and vertebral artery dissections have been reported. Neurovascular disease in pseudoxanthoma elasticum is characterized by intracranial aneurysms and cerebral ischemia caused by premature arterial occlusive disease. Intracranial occlusive arterial disease is the most common neurovascular manifestation of neurofibromatosis, followed by cervical arteriovenous fistulae and aneurysms and intracranial aneurysms. Intracranial aneurysms are the hallmark of polycystic kidney disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Recognition of an underlying generalized connective tissue disorder may be of considerable importance, although marked phenotypic heterogeneity often complicates the diagnosis of these disorders. Conversely, the association of certain neurovascular anomalies with generalized connective tissue disorders and recognition of their basic molecular defect may offer clues to the etiology and pathogenesis of these neurovascular diseases in general.