Right Common Carotid Artery Pseudoaneurysm Secondary to Penetrating Trauma by Firearm,Resolved via Open Surgical Repair With Graft Interposition

Abstract

Common carotid artery pseudoaneurysm is the formation of a hematoma outside the vessel wall resulting from a transmural rupture. Its causes include open or blunt trauma, infections, or previous surgical procedures. These lesions usually present with a wide range of symptoms due to mass effect, and the diagnosis relies on a high index of suspicion and imaging methods. Treatment remains controversial; however, surgical management—either open or endovascular—is generally preferred. This report presents the case of a 19-year-old patient with a history of gunshot wound in neck. Imaging revealed a pseudoaneurysm of the right common carotid artery, which was surgically treated through resection and interposition of an ePTFE graft. This article discusses the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of post-traumatic carotid artery pseudoaneurysm, with the aim of increasing awareness of this condition and its clinical presentations, thereby promoting timely diagnosis and appropriate therapeutic intervention to prevent fatal outcomes.