Traumatic pseudoaneurysm of the external carotid artery with parotid mass and delayed facial nerve palsy

Abstract

Pseudoaneurysm is a rare complication after trauma. A true aneurysm is a dilatation of the vessel wall, whereas a pseudoaneurysm is a weakening or rent in a vessel wall with contained rupture into the surrounding tissues. The cause of a true aneurysm is often an arteriosclerotic or inflammatory process and congenital malformations. Pseudoaneurysms are usually posttraumatic. 1 Causes of pseudoaneurysm of the carotid artery include deep neck infection, 2 blunt or penetrating trauma of the cervicofacial region, 3 , 4 and radiation therapy. 5 Injury to the carotid artery, by either direct or indirect forces, is rare but may produce either dissection of the vessel wall or formation of a pseudoaneurysm. Although pseudoaneurysm of the superficial temporal artery after trauma has been reported 6 occasionally, traumatic pseudoaneurysm of the external carotid artery between the internal maxillary and facial arteries associated with a parotid mass and subsequent facial palsy is an uncommon event.