title: Pseudo-aneurysm of the carotid bifurcation secondary to radiation.
abstract: Pseudoaneurysms of the extracranial carotid vessels have a varied etiopathogenesis. Cases have been attributed to spontaneous rupture, following tonsillectomy or peritonsillar abscesses, trauma, postanastamotic and, rarely, postirradiation, and ECMO. The authors present a case of a pseudoaneurysm involving the carotid artery bifurcation following radiation therapy. A saphenous vein graft was used to establish continuity between the common and the internal carotid arteries. A vascular shunt was used to maintain cerebral perfusion during surgery. This case highlights the technical difficulties encountered in correcting this condition. This case exemplifies the technical difficulties that are encountered in a complicated case such as this. Numerous previous operations and radiotherapy compounded the hazards of the surgical procedure. Although technically challenging, every attempt must be made to resect pseudoaneurysms caused by radiation induced vascular damage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center, Bronx, New York 10457, USA.
authors.forename: H T
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Girishkumar
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sivakumar
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Andaz
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Santosh
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Solomon
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brown
mesh_terms: D017541:Aneurysm, False / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D000792:Angiography; D001921:Brain / Q000098:blood supply; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D017536:Carotid Artery, Common / Q000528:radiation effects* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000637:transplantation; D014067:Tonsillar Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery