Pseudoaneurysm of the right lingual artery: an unusual cause of severe hemorrhage during tonsillectomy.
Profuse intraoperative hemorrhage is an uncommon complication of tonsillectomy. We present a three-year-old girl who underwent a routine adenotonsillectomy during which massive bleeding occurred from a large vessel in the right tonsillar fossae. Angiography revealed an aberrant right lingual artery with a pseudoaneurysm. The right lingual artery was embolized with multiple coils and the bleeding was halted. The causes and treatment of extracranial carotid artery pseudoaneurysms are discussed.
Mitchell
R B
RB
LeBonheur Childrens Medical Center, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, USA.
Pereira
K D
KD
Lazar
R H
RH
Long
T E
TE
Fournier
N F
NF
D017541:Aneurysm, False / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D000792:Angiography; D001158:Arteries; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D014059:Tongue / Q000098:blood supply*; D014068:Tonsillectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*