Ruptured internal carotid aneurysm resulting from neurofibromatosis: treatment with intraluminal stent graft.
OBJECTIVE
This report shows a method of treatment for life-threatening hemorrhage due to rupture of an aneurysm in the cervical internal carotid artery caused by neurofibromatosis.


METHODS
Ten days after delivery of healthy twins, a 28-year-old woman with known neurofibromatosis had sudden massive swelling in the left neck. After initial tracheostomy, angiography confirmed rupture of the mid cervical internal carotid artery as well as contribution to the resultant pseudoaneurysm from external carotid branches. Treatment began with coil embolization of the external carotid branches. The internal carotid lesion, a defect approximately 1 cm in length, was then closed through use of two stent grafts, each made from Palmaz stents and 3-mm polytetrafluorethylene grafts predilated to 6 mm. The neck hematoma was then evacuated surgically.


RESULTS
Completion angiography and computed tomographic scanning confirmed control of the hemorrhage. The patient survived neurologically intact with the exception of cranial nerve deficits caused by the hemorrhage. The tracheostomy tube was removed 3 weeks postoperatively. Follow-up computed tomographic scanning showed a gradual decrease in the size of the cervical soft tissue and no recurrent aneurysm.


CONCLUSIONS
Neurofibromatosis is a rare cause of aneurysmal degeneration of blood vessels. Repair of a ruptured cervical internal carotid artery aneurysm, though feasible, is difficult with stent grafts; however, this is a better option than surgical intervention in inaccessible vessels.
Smith
B L
BL
Department of Vascular Surgery, Baylor University Medical Center, USA.
Munschauer
C E
CE
Diamond
N
N
Rivera
F
F
D000328:Adult; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017253:Neurofibromatoses / Q000150:complications*; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D011247:Pregnancy; D011252:Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous; D015607:Stents; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene