Transarterial endovascular treatment in the management of life-threatening carotid blowout syndrome in head and neck cancer patients: review of the literature

Successful Interventional Management of Common Carotid Artery Rupture during Recurrent Parathyroid Cancer Surgery: A Case Report

Common carotid artery (CCA) rupture during parathyroid cancer surgery is extremely rare and is generally life-threatening. We present a case of successful management of a ruptured CCA following the emergency placement of stent-graft in a 59-year-old male diagnosed with recurrent parathyroid cancer. During recurrent parathyroid cancer surgery, his right CCA ruptured unexpectedly, and his vital signs deteriorated rapidly despite surgical management. After stent replacement, his unstable vital signs improved and, thereafter, he was discharged without any complications.

Carotid Blowout Syndrome in the Emergency Department: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

BACKGROUND

Carotid blowout syndrome (CBS) is an infrequent but dangerous oncologic emergency that must be recognized due to a mortality rate that approaches 40% and neurologic morbidity that approaches 60%. Patients present with a variety of symptoms ranging from asymptomatic to frank hemorrhage, and appropriate recognition and management may improve their outcomes.

CASE REPORT

A man in his late 60s with squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx presented to the emergency department (ED) with hemoptysis and several episodes of post-tussive emesis with large clots. He had been cancer free for multiple years after treatment with chemotherapy and radiation to the neck. Evaluation revealed a necrotic tumor on the posterior pharynx on bedside laryngoscopy and an external carotid pseudoaneurysm that was stented by interventional radiology. The patient experienced recurrent hemorrhage several months later and opted for palliative measures and expired of massive hemorrhage in the ED on a subsequent visit. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: CBS can be fatal, and early suspicion and recognition are key to ensure that a threatened or impending carotid blowout are appropriately managed. Once carotid blowout is suspected, early resuscitation and consultation with interventional radiology and vascular surgery is warranted.

Outcome of carotid and subclavian blowout syndrome in patients with pharynx- and larynx carcinoma passing a standardized multidisciplinary treatment

BACKGROUND

Carotid blowout syndrome (CBS) is one of the most feared emergencies in the head and neck surgery and tends to occur in patients with head and neck cancer, wound complications, pharyngocutaneous fistulas, or after radio(chemo)therapy. CBS is always life threatening and associated with a 50% mortality/morbidity rate.

METHODS

Between 2007 and 2015, a total of 51 patients who developed CBS caused by the tumour masses or after radio(chemo)therapy were included. All patients underwent a standardised bleeding management.

RESULTS

In 86% of patients, CBS was associated with manifest carcinoma. Fifty three percent of patients were treated by transcervical surgery, in 36% of these cases surgery was supplemented by endovascular approaches. Severe complications such as re-bleeding or cerebral ischemia occurred infrequently. Seven patients died because of the acute bleeding.

CONCLUSION

CBS associated with head and neck cancer carries poor mid and long-term prognoses. An interdisciplinary standardised treatment path dramatically reduced overall morbidity and mortality.

Endovascular Management of Patients with Head and Neck Cancers Presenting with Acute Hemorrhage: A Single-Center Retrospective Study

PURPOSE

Acute hemorrhage associated with cancers of the head and neck is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate action. The aim of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of endovascular embolization for acute hemorrhage in patients with head and neck cancers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data were retrospectively collected from patients with head and neck cancers who underwent endovascular embolization to treat acute hemorrhage. The primary endpoint was the rate of immediate control of hemorrhage during the first 24 h after embolization. The secondary endpoints were technical or clinical complications, rate of re-hemorrhage 24 h after the procedure, time from embolization to re-hemorrhage, hospitalization time, mortality rate, and time from embolization to death.

RESULTS

Fifty-one patients underwent endovascular embolization. The primary endpoint was achieved in 94% of patients. The rate of technical complications was 5.8%, and no clinical complication was observed. Twelve patients (23.5%) had hemorrhage recurrence after an average time of 127.5 days. The average hospitalization time was 7.4 days, the mortality rate during the follow-up period was 66.6%, and the average time from embolization to death was 132.5 days.

CONCLUSION

Endovascular embolization to treat acute hemorrhage in patients with head and neck cancers is a safe and effective method for the immediate control of hemorrhage and results in a high rate of hemorrhage control. Larger studies are necessary to determine which treatment strategy is best for improving patient outcomes.

The free inverted omega-shaped flap for circumferential hypopharyngeal reconstruction with simultaneous neck skin defect

BACKGROUND

Circumferential hypopharyngeal defect with simultaneous skin defect can pose complicated reconstructive challenge for reconstructive microsurgeons. Our experience with the versatile inverted-omega flap tubing design is proposed to accommodate such problem.

METHODS

From 2012 to 2015, 13 anterolateral thigh (ALT) flaps and one anteromedial thigh (AMT) flap were harvested for reconstruction of circumferential hypopharyngeal defects with skin defects in 14 patients. All patients were males except one. Patient age ranged from 42 to 67 years (average, 53.1 years). Fifty-seven percent were recurrent cases. All but one patient received preoperative chemoradiotherapy.

RESULTS

The average flap size was 29 × 8 cm (range: 25-31 × 6-10 cm² ). An average of 2.6 perforators was included in each flap (2-4 perforators/flap). All flaps survived. One venous thrombosis was noted and salvaged after thrombolectomy and vein graft. The mean follow-up period was 25 months. The fistula rate was 21.4% (three patients). One fistula never healed because of early recurrence; one fistula healed after surgical intervention; and one fistula need a loco-regional flap for secondary reconstruction. Three postoperative strictures were noted (21.4%).

CONCLUSION

For the circumferential hypopharyngeal defect with simultaneous neck skin defect, this inverted-omega ALT tubing design offers an alternative choice for such complicated reconstruction. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery, 38:51-59, 2018.