title: Carotid blowout in patients with head and neck cancer: associated factors and treatment outcomes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to investigate factors associated with carotid blowout in the cervical portion of patients with head and neck cancer in a large cohort.
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed patients with head and neck cancer and identified those with carotid blowout. Variables of patients with and without carotid blowout were compared and associated factors were investigated by logistic regression model.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 2590 patients were included in the final analysis and 102 patients (3.9%) developed carotid blowout in the cervical region. Body mass index (BMI) <22.5 kg/M(2) , primary site in the hypopharynx or oropharynx, open wound in the neck requiring wet dressing, radical neck dissection, and total radiation dose to the neck ≥70 Gy were independent factors associated with carotid blowout.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  After completion of treatment in patients with head and neck cancer, carotid blowout was an uncommon complication with catastrophic results. Recognition of associated factors helps physicians to identify those at risk.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, Republic of China.
authors.forename: Yi-Juin
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Ching-Ping
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Chen-Chi
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Rong-San
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Jin-Ching
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Shih-An
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D001458:Bandages; D015992:Body Mass Index; D020212:Carotid Artery Injuries / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D057510:Endovascular Procedures; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D037981:Neck Dissection / Q000009:adverse effects; D019838:Neck Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012421:Rupture / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D016879:Salvage Therapy
keywords: carotid blowout; head and neck cancer; irradiation; logistic regression model; radical neck dissection