title: Spontaneous late carotid-cutaneous fistula following radical neck dissection: a case report.
abstract: The authors present an unusual case of a spontaneous carotid-cutaneous fistula occurring as a late complication 4 years after radical neck dissection and postoperative radiation therapy for tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma in a 50-year-old patient. The etiologic factors predisposing patients to carotid artery rupture following radical neck dissection and a surgical option for carotid artery reconstruction instead of ligation are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Division of Vascular Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rodriguez
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Carmeci
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Dalman
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D017577:Cutaneous Fistula / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D037981:Neck Dissection / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014067:Tonsillar Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D016157:Vascular Fistula / Q000209:etiology*