Giant petrous carotid aneurysm: persistent epistaxis despite internal carotid artery ligation.
OBJECTIVE
We report a rare case of giant petrous carotid aneurysm.


METHODS
Case report and a review of the literature regarding treatment options for such aneurysms.


RESULTS
A 30-year-old man presented with epistaxis, headaches and visual disturbance. Definitive diagnosis was achieved by non-invasive imaging techniques, including magnetic resonance angiography and carotid angiography. Carotid angiography demonstrated a giant petrous carotid aneurysm effacing the petrous apex. The aneurysm was obliterated by internal carotid artery ligation, following successful tolerance of the balloon occlusion test. However, despite internal carotid artery ligation, this patient continued to have minor episodes of epistaxis.


CONCLUSIONS
Some aneurysms are too large to be treated with endovascular occlusion techniques; in such cases, ligation of the parent vessel is indicated. However, our patient continued to experience persistent, mild epistaxis despite internal carotid artery ligation, as a result of the reperfusion phenomenon.
Singh
H
H
Department of Otolaryngology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore. harvindersran@hotmail.com
Thomas
J
J
Hoe
W L E
WL
Sethi
D S
DS
D000328:Adult; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D002533:Cerebral Angiography; D004844:Epistaxis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D002532:Intracranial Aneurysm / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D008026:Ligation; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D008297:Male