[Extra cranial carotid artery aneurysm: a case report]

Extracranial carotid artery aneurysm [ECAA] is extremely rare, accounting for only 0.4-4% of all peripheral artery aneurysms. Sir Astley Cooper is credited with the first successful operation for ECAA in 1808. These aneurysms are of interest because they have diverse etiologies and present diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. The symptoms of ECAAs vary according to their location, size, and etiology. The presentation of such aneurysms may vary from an asymptomatic mass in the neck to the development of a permanent neurological deficit as a consequence of micro emboli arising from within the aneurysmal sac. Although most carotid artery aneurysms are caused by atherosclerosis, other common causes include trauma and infection. Carotid artery aneurysms are usually diagnosed by means of ultrasonographic scanning. Additional diagnostic testing -by computed tomographic angiography, or magnetic resonance imaging- can lead to more accurate information on the aneurysm's size and its relationship to surrounding structures. We herein report an extra cranial carotid artery aneurysm detected in a 46 years old patient with complaint of neurologic Symptoms. Because aneurysm located in the distal ICA, the treatment involved stent graft deployment. There has been no complications noted during the 10 months follow up after treatment. Extra Cranial Carotid Artery Aneurysm is a rare condition and has high rate of complication with conservative approach