Giant Extracranial Carotid Artery Pseudo-aneurysm Causing Acute Airway Obstruction
B. I. Akhiwu *
Department of Dental and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Jos/Jos University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria.
S. D. Peter
Department of Surgery, General Surgery Unit, Jos University Teaching Hospital / University of Jos. Nigeria.
J. M. Njem
Department of Surgery, Cardiothoracic Unit, Jos University Teaching Hospital/ University of Jos, Nigeria.
E. O. Ojo
Department of Surgery, General Surgery Unit, Jos University Teaching Hospital / University of Jos. Nigeria.
I. O. Omofuma
Department of Surgery, General Surgery Unit, Jos University Teaching Hospital / University of Jos. Nigeria.
A. G. Adewale
Department of Surgery, General Surgery Unit, Jos University Teaching Hospital / University of Jos. Nigeria.
A. S. Adoga
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Jos University Teaching Hospital/ University of Jos, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aneurysms of the carotid artery are known to be very rare. When they occur, they can result in upper airway obstruction, vascular embolisation of blood clots, stroke, or other neurologic deficits. Most importantly if they do rupture, it may be fatal. The present study reports a 24-year old male with a carotid artery aneurysm initially misdiagnosed as tuberculous adenitis that later developed dyspnoea, dysphagia and hoarseness. He was managed using a multidisciplinary approach. Intra-operative findings showed a huge pseudo-aneurysmal sac, 14 cm ×12 cm, completely occluding the airway and filled with blood and clots. The sac was communicating with the mid medial aspect of the common carotid artery via a 0.7 cm longitudinal tear. He had surgery and excision of the aneurysmal sac measuring 12 cm × 14 cm and recovered with neuropraxia of the right hypoglossal nerve which subsequently resolved.
Keywords: False aneurysm, common carotid artery, giant, surgical excision.