title: Traumatic pseudoaneurysm of the thyrocervical trunk.
abstract: A case of a pseudoaneurysm of the thyrocervical trunk after a pocketknife stab wound to zone I of the neck is reported. The patient was evaluated and treated in an emergency department with irrigation of the wound, bandage, and oral antibiotics. A large pseudoaneurysm slowly developed over the next 2 months. When the patient arrived at our hospital, he was immediately admitted and arteriograms were obtained. Arteriograms revealed an active leak of blood into a pseudoaneurysm from the thyrocervical trunk. Surgical treatment consisted of proximal and distal ligation of the thyrocervical trunk. This is the first case of a pseudoaneurysm developing only from the thyrocervical trunk due to a stab wound to zone I of the neck. This case and its complication serve to illustrate and emphasize the rationale for routinely imaging the great vessels after all penetrating trauma to zone I of the neck.
authors.affiliation: Surgery Service, Charleston Veterans Administration Hospital, SC, USA.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Majeski
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017541:Aneurysm, False / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D000792:Angiography; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004487:Edema / Q000209:etiology; D004638:Emergency Treatment / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008026:Ligation; D008297:Male; D019838:Neck Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D013348:Subclavian Artery / Q000293:injuries*; D013536:Suture Techniques; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation; D013997:Time Factors; D014951:Wounds, Stab / Q000150:complications*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents