Thursday, March 23, 2006
9855

Asymptomatic Carotid Artery Pseudoaneurysm Associated with Blunt Facial Trauma: a case report

Christopher Tiner, DDS, MD, Edward A. Luce MD, Robert D. Wallace MD, and Roberto D. Lachica MD.

Abstract: Blunt carotid artery injury (BCI) is a rare injury and occurs in approximately 0.05% of all blunt trauma admissions. BCI comprises 3-10% of all carotid artery injuries (penetrating and non- penetrating), usually secondary to direct neck injury. BCI in association with facial fractures is a rare presentation (less than 1%) with implications regarding the treatment of facial fractures. Most BCI present with associated neurologic signs and symptoms in multisystem trauma patients. Asymptomatic carotid pseudoaneurysm with associated facial fractures is an even rarer subgroup of BCI. The following is a case report of an asymptomatic carotid artery pseudoaneurysm associated with severe facial fractures in a 23year old male motor vehicle accident victim.