Extracranial Internal Carotid Artery Aneurysms: case report of a saccular wide-necked aneurysm and review of the literature.
OBJECTIVE
To describe a case of atherosclerotic Extracranial internal Carotid Artery Aneurysm (ECAA) with an unique "diverticulum-like" morphological structure, surgically treated and to review the experiences of major referral centers.


METHODS
A 76-year-old woman presented with persistent dysphagia and transient hypophonia caused by a growing pulsatiling mass of the neck; duplex ultrasonography and angio-CT scan demonstrated a wide-necked, saccular aneurysm at the origin of the right Internal Carotid Artery (ICA). A total aneurysmectomy with patch angioplasty of the aneurysm of the neck on the carotid wall was successfully performed. No perioperative complications were encountered; at one year follow-up the patient was asymptomatic without any neurological complication and with carotid patency.


CONCLUSIONS
Open surgery remains the gold standard for the treatment of extracranial internal carotid artery aneurysms in terms of patency and reduced risk of adverse complications; endovascular procedures may, in selected cases, provide a valuable additional tool in the armoury of the physician.
Biasi
Lukla
L
Unit of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Parma, Parma, Italy. luklabiasi@hotmail.com
Azzarone
Matteo
M
De Troia
Alessandro
A
Salcuni
Pierfranco
P
Tecchio
Tiziano
T
D000368:Aged; D000783:Aneurysm / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018616:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex