Aneurysms of the common carotid artery

Cervical carotid aneurysm presenting as transient ischemia and recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy

Aneurysms of the extracranial carotid artery are rare. Neurological manifestations in patients with these lesions may be quite varied. This paper presents a unique patient who showed both hoarseness due to left recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis as a local sign of compression, and ischemic syncopal attack as an embolic or flow-related symptom. Little has appeared in the otolaryngologic literature, despite the fact that many patients have symptoms that may initially lead them to see an otolaryngologist. A misleading needle biopsy of the mass in the neck was performed by a local otolaryngologist before the diagnosis was confirmed. The literature on the subject is briefly reviewed.

Surgical treatment for spontaneous carotid dissection with impending stroke. Case report

A case of spontaneous carotid artery dissection is presented. In the case described, superficial temporal artery-middle cerebral artery anastomosis was performed because of impending stroke. Surgical revascularization is indicated in a case that shows such a rapid evolution of stroke that spontaneous resolution of the dissection cannot be awaited.

Asymptomatic aneurysm of the extracranial internal carotid artery: report of a case

A rare case of saccular aneurysm of the right internal carotid artery is presented. The patient was asymptomatic, and the aneurysm was discovered incidentally at examination after a fall. The diagnosis was confirmed angiographically, and the aneurysm was surgically excised with end-to-end anastomosis of the artery.

Bilateral false aneurysms after carotid endarterectomy

Aneurysms of the extracranial carotid artery are not common. Various etiological factors have been enumerated. A case with bilateral carotid aneurysms following endarterectomy is presented.

Mycotic carotid artery aneurysm

A painful, pulsatile neck mass with associated fever should suggest the presence of a mycotic carotid artery aneurysm. Diagnosis can be confirmed from angiograms. Broad spectrum antibiotics are indicated, and an operation should be performed promptly. The lack of tissue planes uninvolved by infection will almost always prevent vascular reconstruction. Carotid artery ligation with excision of the aneurysms is recommended.

Bilateral carotid aneurysms secondary to radiation therapy

A patient was seen with symptomatic, rapidly expanding aneurysms that developed in both carotid arteries 4 years after bilateral radiation to the neck, left combined mandibular resection, and radical neck dissection. The presenting symptoms were pain and transient ischemic attacks of cerebrovascular insufficiency. The aneurysms were treated uneventfully be resection and vein-graft replacement at 15-day intervals. Microscopy demonstrated typical radiation changes. Effects of radiation on arteries are reviewed.