Traumatic False Aneurysm of the Lingual Artery: A Case Report

ABSTRACT

False aneurysms (Pseudoaneurysms) and arteriovenous fistulas have only rarely been reported in the facial region. In this region the false aneurysm arises most frequently in the superficial temporal and facial artery, but other branches of the external carotid are sometimes involved, including the maxillary and lingual artery. False aneurysms can be occurred by blunt trauma that either laceration or rupture the full thickness of the arterial wall. The diagnosis of a false arterial aneurysm can be often made solely on the basis of physical examination. Angiography is helpful for conformation, for delineating the lesion and its vascular supply, and for ruling out the presence of associated vascular lesions such as arteriovenous fistulas. Ultrasonography may also be useful in delineating lesions that are not easily accessible for physical examination. Treatment of false aneurysms is excision, ligation, and arterial embolization. This is a case of false aneurysm of the lingual artery after facial trauma caused by traffic accident. The lesion was successfully treated by embolization and ligation of the lingual and facial branches of the external carotid artery.