Histopathological examination of ruptured carotid artery after irradiation.
We report 2 cases of carotid artery rupture after irradiation that was performed 1 year and 17 years before the ruptures. When irradiation-induced arterial rupture occurs, it usually does so within a few months following irradiation. However, the histopathological sections obtained in the present cases revealed carotid artery necrosis that was presumably induced by irradiation. Carotid artery rupture is sudden, massive hemorrhage that ranks among the most dreaded complications in the head and neck. However, several patients have been saved by hospital personnel who discovered the rupture in time to take appropriate measures such as cleaning of the wound and protection with myocutaneous or myofascial flaps. Therefore, it is important to be aware of the possibility of rupture or perforation of major vessels after irradiation, even when the radiation therapy was performed a long time ago.
Okamura
Hiro-oki
HO
Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, School of Medicine, Yushima, Tokyo, Japan.
Kamiyama
Ryosuke
R
Takiguchi
Yoshitaka
Y
Kimizuka
Kouki
K
Ishikawa
Norihiko
N
Kishimoto
Seiji
S
D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007012:Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D013517:Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012421:Rupture / Q000209:etiology