title: Rupture of radiation-induced internal carotid artery pseudoaneurysm in a patient with nasopharyngeal carcinoma--spontaneous occlusion of carotid artery due to long-term embolizing performance.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Rupture of internal carotid artery (ICA) pseudoaneurysm is a lethal complication in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Angiography is the best diagnostic and treatment method. The aim of embolization is to block the pseudoaneurysm; but sometimes, total occlusion of great vessels is ineludible. We describe a case of NPC post-radiation therapy and with ruptured pseudoaneurysm treated by angio-embolization.
  
  
  METHODS
  The patient had received embolization with numerous tools such as stent grafts, balloons, and bare stents with or without filter protection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After failing to pass through the narrow lumen by embolizing tools, the right ICA finally occluded spontaneously by self-thrombosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although the angio-embolization is a good method to resolve the problems of ruptured pseudoaneurysm, there is still high mortality and morbidity. Being aware of the clinical presentations and the changes of images may alert us to predict the happening earlier.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. littlekaiyuan@yahoo.com.tw
authors.forename: Kai-Yuan
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Ka-Wo
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Feng-Yu
authors.initials: FY
authors.lastname: Chiang
authors.forename: Kuen-Yao
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: Wen-Rei
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Kuo
mesh_terms: D017541:Aneurysm, False / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000532:radiotherapy; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic; D004844:Epistaxis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000532:radiotherapy; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous; D012421:Rupture / Q000628:therapy