Extracranial internal carotid artery aneurysm: Surgical approach to a rare entity

Abstract

Background

Extracranial internal carotid artery aneurysms are rare entities that arise within the carotid triangle. Although rare, they are clinically significant due to the risk of neurologic thromboembolic events, compression of cranial nerves and vasculature, rupture, and ischemia.

Objective

Surgery is the gold-standard treatment for symptomatic patients of all ages with extracranial internal carotid artery aneurysm.

Method

A 26-year-old female patient was admitted to our institution with complaints of left auricular pain, hoarseness, and uncontrollable hypertension. She had a pulsatile mass located at the left cervical region. After diagnosing the extracranial internal carotid artery aneurysm, it was decided that surgery was necessary to relieve the patient’s discomfort and prevent possible complications from the aneurysm in the left carotid artery.

Result

In the operation, the aneurysmatic segment was resected and sent for histopathological evaluation. Saphenous vein graft was interposed as end to end anastomosis to the proximal and distal healthy segments of the internal carotid artery.

Conclusion

This case report highlights the surgical management of a 26-year-old female patient who presented to our institution with complaints of left auricular pain, hoarseness, uncontrolled hypertension, and a pulsatile mass localized at the left cervical region and diagnosed extracranial internal carotid artery aneurysm.