Carotid artery thrombosis and stroke after blunt pharyngeal injury.
A 2-year-old child fell on a toothbrush, sustaining a pharyngeal injury. Eighteen hours later, localizing symptoms of a cerebrovascular accident became evident. Magnetic resonance angiography showed occlusion of the internal carotid artery and a cerebral infarction. She was treated with anticoagulation and made a complete recovery. Pharyngeal injuries may be complicated by internal carotid artery thrombosis and embolus. Management includes prompt diagnosis, anticoagulation, and carotid artery exploration in selected cases.
Moriarty
K P
KP
Division of Pediatric Surgery, Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Harris
B H
BH
Benitez-Marchand
K
K
D002341:Carotid Artery Thrombosis / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology*; D002544:Cerebral Infarction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D010614:Pharynx / Q000293:injuries*; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000150:complications*