A multi-registry analysis of military and civilian penetrating cervical carotid artery injury.

INTRODUCTION: Penetrating cervical carotid artery injury is an uncommon but high-stake scenario associated with stroke and death. The objective of this study was to characterize and compare penetrating carotid injury in the military and civilian setting, as well as provide considerations for management. METHODS: Cohorts with penetrating cervical carotid artery injury from the Department of Defense Trauma Registry (2002-2015) and the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma Prospective Observation Vascular Injury Treatment Registry (2012-2018) were analyzed. A least absolute shrinkage and selection operator multivariate analysis using random forest-based imputation was performed to identify risk factors affecting stroke and mortality. RESULTS: There were a total of 157 patients included in the study, of which 56 (35.7%) were military and 101 (64.3%) were civilian. The military cohort was more likely to have been managed with open surgery (87.5% vs. 44.6%, p < 0.001) and to have had any procedure to restore or maintain flow to the brain (71.4% vs. 35.6%, p < 0.001), while the civilian cohort was more likely to undergo nonoperative management (45.5% vs. 12.5%, p < 0.001). Stroke rate was higher within the military cohort (41.1% vs. 13.9%, p < 0.001); however, mortality did not differ between the groups (12.5% vs. 17.8%, p = 0.52). On multivariate analysis, predictors for stroke were presence of a battle injury (log odds, 2.1; p < 0.001) and internal or common carotid artery ligation (log odds 1.5, p = 0.009). For mortality outcome, protective factors included a high Glasgow Coma Scale on admission (log odds, -0.21 per point; p < 0.001). Increased admission Injury Severity Score was a predictor of mortality (log odds, 0.05 per point; p = 0.005). CONCLUSION: The stroke rate was higher in the military cohort, possibly reflecting complexity of injury; however, there was no difference in mortality between military and civilian patients. For significant injuries, concerted efforts should be made at carotid reconstruction to reduce the occurrence of stroke. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Retrospective cohort analysis, level III.

Endovascular Treatment of Carotid Blowout Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Carotid blowout syndrome (CBS) is a life-threatening disease characterized by compromise of the carotid artery by head and neck cancer (HNC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the characteristics and outcomes of all patients with carotid blowout syndrome who were treated between April 2010 and December 2019. Twelve patients with a history of HNC and radiation therapy were investigated. The balloon occlusion test (BOT) was performed in all patients to confirm collateral circulation. We placed a stent in patients who were intolerant to the BOT. RESULTS: The patients' ages ranged from 50 to 81 years (mean: 68.1 years). Therapeutic occlusion of the affected internal carotid artery was performed in nine patients, while stenting was performed in three patients. Immediate hemostasis was achieved in all patients. Patients treated using stents were administered perioperative DAPT. One patient experienced rebleeding after surgery. Two patients had procedure-related cerebral infarctions. One patient died, but the others survived without major neurological deficits. One patient had persistent aneurysm after surgery that resolved over time. CONCLUSION: Endovascular treatment via occlusion or stent-based reconstruction of the internal carotid artery resulted in immediate hemostasis. Carotid occlusion and covered stent application are safe and efficient techniques to treat CBS secondary to HNC. Surgeons may obtain better outcomes if they perform BOT before occlusion and design treatment accordingly.

Penetrating Injury to the Carotid Artery: Characterizing Presentation and Outcomes from the National Trauma Data Bank.

BACKGROUND: Penetrating injury to the neck can be devastating because of the multiple vital structures in close proximity. In the event of injury to the carotid artery, there is a significantly increased likelihood of morbidity or mortality. The purpose of this study was to assess presenting characteristics associated with penetrating injury to the carotid artery and directly compare approaches to surgical management. METHODS: Data from the National Trauma Data Bank from 2002-2016 were accessed to evaluate adult patients sustaining penetrating injury to the common or internal carotid artery. Management (operative versus nonoperative) and surgical approach (open versus endovascular) were evaluated based on presentation characteristics, and outcomes were compared after propensity score matching. RESULTS: Three thousand three hundred ninety-one patients fitting inclusion criteria and surviving past the emergency department were included in analyses (nonoperative: 1,976 [58.3%] patients and operative: 1,415 [41.7%] patients). The operative group was further classified by intervention as open = 1,192 patients and endovascular: 154 patients. On presentation, the nonoperative group demonstrated significantly higher prevalence of coma (Glasgow Coma Scale ≤8: nonoperative = 49.3% versus operative = 40.8%, P < 0.001), severe overall injury burden (Injury Severity Score ≥25: nonoperative = 42.3% versus operative = 33.3%, P < 0.001), and severe head injury (Abbreviated Injury Score ≥ 3: nonoperative = 44.9% versus operative = 22.0%, P < 0.001). After propensity score matching, the nonoperative group demonstrated higher mortality (nonoperative = 28.9% versus operative = 18.5%, P < 0.001), and lower rates of stroke (nonoperative = 6.6% versus operative - = 10.5%, P < 0.001). There were no differences in outcomes relating to surgical approach. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that nonoperative patients often present with a more severe overall injury burden, particularly injury to the head, and not surprisingly, have higher rates of mortality. The lack of significant differences in outcomes relating to surgical approach indicates open versus endovascular invention should be individualized to the patient-for example, based on presenting characteristics and the location of the injury.

Limited Clinical Relevance of Vertebral Artery Injury in Blunt Trauma.

BACKGROUND: Blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI), although rare, is more common than previously thought and carries a substantial stroke and mortality risk. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the differences between blunt carotid artery (CA) and vertebral artery (VA) injuries, assess the stroke and death rates related to these injuries, and identify the relationship of Injury Severity Score (ISS) with stroke and mortality in BCVI. METHODS: Using a retrospective review of the trauma registry at a level I trauma center, we identified patients with BCVI. The study period began in January 2003 and ended in July 2014. Demographics, injuries reported, investigative studies performed, and outcomes data were obtained and analyzed. Radiographic images of both blunt CA and VA injuries were reviewed and graded by an independent radiologist, according to the current classification of blunt CA injuries. RESULTS: BCVI involving 114 vessels was identified in 103 patients. This population consisted of 65 males and 38 females with an average age of 45 years (15-92, range). The average ISS was 22 (4-75, range). Cervical spine fracture occurred in 80% of VA injuries (64 total patients). Injuries involved the CA in 33, the VA in 59, and both in 11. The CA group had a higher incidence of traumatic brain injury (61% vs. 46%), ISS (27 vs. 18), and stroke (24% vs. 3%), compared to the VA group. Mortality in the CA group was 30% compared to 3% in the VA group. Patients with high ISS (≥25) had increased stroke rates compared to those with lower (<25) ISS (19% vs. 6.7%). All mortalities occurred with ISS >25. Logistic regression revealed that vessel injured, ISS, and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) were significant risk factors for mortality. Multivariate analysis demonstrated carotid injury, and lowest GCS were independently associated with mortality. CONCLUSIONS: In this comparison of CA and VA injuries in BCVI, VA injuries were more common and more frequently found with cervical spine fractures than CA injuries. However, VA injuries had a lower incidence of CVA and mortality. A high ISS was associated with stroke and mortality while carotid injury and lowest GCS were independently associated with increased mortality.

Carotid Dosimetry and the Risk of Carotid Blowout Syndrome After Reirradiation With Head and Neck Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy.

PURPOSE: To correlate carotid dose and risk of carotid blowout syndrome (CBOS) after stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), hypothesizing that carotid dose does not correlate with CBOS. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We retrospectively reviewed 186 patients with recurrent, previously irradiated head and neck cancer treated between January 2008 and March 2013. Patients treated early in our experience with incomplete dosimetry were excluded from analysis (n = 111). A total of 75 patients were identified, providing 150 carotid arteries for analysis. Median follow-up was 8 months (range, 1-91 months) for all patients, and 37 months for surviving patients (range, 31-91 months). Patients were treated with linear accelerator-based SBRT to a median dose up to 44 Gy (range, 40-50 Gy) in 5 fractions delivered on a twice-weekly basis. Concurrent cetuximab was used in 63 patients (84%). The bilateral common, internal, and external carotid arteries were delineated 2 cm above and below the planning target volume. The maximum dose to 0.1 cm3 (D0.1cc), 1 cm3 (D1cc), and 2 cm3 (D2cc) of the carotid and the mean carotid dose from SBRT were recorded and analyzed for association with carotid bleeding events, using binary logistic regression. RESULTS: Median reirradiation interval was 20 months (range, 3-423 months), and median prior radiation dose was 70 Gy (range, 52.5-140 Gy). Sixteen patients (21.3%) received more than 1 course of SBRT, and the cumulative carotid doses from fused summary plans were recorded. The overall median D0.1cc, D1cc, D2cc, and mean carotid doses were 40.8 Gy (interquartile range [IQR], 21.6-47.6 Gy), 26.8 Gy (IQR, 14.1-42.1 Gy), 15.4 Gy (IQR, 8.4-32.7 Gy), and 15.0 Gy (IQR, 8.9-23.3 Gy), respectively. There were a total of 4 bleeding events (5.3%): 2 patients (2.7%) had mucosal bleeds that resolved after embolization of carotid branches, and 2 patients (2.7%) died from complications of CBOS. In the 2 patients with CBOS the D0.1cc was 48.4 Gy and 47.6 Gy, respectively. There was no significant association between bleeding events and D1cc (P = .280), D2cc (P = .571), or mean dose (P = .568). There was a trend toward increased risk of bleeding and D0.1cc (P = .080). CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate a low risk of bleeding after reirradiation with SBRT when 5 fractions are delivered on nonconsecutive days, even when tumor is completely encasing the carotid artery. Although limited by the low number of events, no significant association was found between dose-volume parameters and the risk of carotid bleeding. No CBOS was noted when D0.1cc was <47.6 Gy.

Outcome of carotid and subclavian blowout syndrome in patients with pharynx- and larynx carcinoma passing a standardized multidisciplinary treatment.

BACKGROUND: Carotid blowout syndrome (CBS) is one of the most feared emergencies in the head and neck surgery and tends to occur in patients with head and neck cancer, wound complications, pharyngocutaneous fistulas, or after radio(chemo)therapy. CBS is always life threatening and associated with a 50% mortality/morbidity rate. METHODS: Between 2007 and 2015, a total of 51 patients who developed CBS caused by the tumour masses or after radio(chemo)therapy were included. All patients underwent a standardised bleeding management. RESULTS: In 86% of patients, CBS was associated with manifest carcinoma. Fifty three percent of patients were treated by transcervical surgery, in 36% of these cases surgery was supplemented by endovascular approaches. Severe complications such as re-bleeding or cerebral ischemia occurred infrequently. Seven patients died because of the acute bleeding. CONCLUSION: CBS associated with head and neck cancer carries poor mid and long-term prognoses. An interdisciplinary standardised treatment path dramatically reduced overall morbidity and mortality.

A Comparative Analysis of Open versus Endovascular Techniques for Management of Non-Aortic Cervicothoracic Arterial Injuries.

The objective of this study is to describe the contemporary management of proximal upper extremity and neck arterial injuries by comparing open and endovascular repair at a single institution. This is a retrospective study of 22 patients that sustained subclavian, axillary, and carotid artery injuries from 2011 to 2016 that were managed with open or endovascular repair. There were nine subclavian, eight axillary, and five carotid artery injuries of which 10 (45.5%) underwent endovascular repair and 12 (54.5%) underwent open repair. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups including injury severity score or preoperative hypotension. There were no deaths in the endovascular group, and three (25.0%) deaths in the open group. All patients in the endovascular group were discharged home. In the open group, seven (58.3%) patients had at least one inpatient complication with a mean of 1.1 (standard deviation 1.4) complications per patient. In the endovascular group, there were three (30.0%) patients with inpatient complications and a mean of 0.4 (standard deviation 0.7) complications per patient (P = 0.18). Endovascular management of nonaortic cervicothoracic arterial injuries was successfully performed in hypotensive patients and patients with other life threatening traumatic injuries. Further studies are warranted to look at long-term patency of these repairs and to help develop a protocol to guide decision-making in the management of cervicothoracic injuries.

Contemporary management of civilian penetrating cervicothoracic arterial injuries.

BACKGROUND: The management of arterial injury at the thoracic outlet has long hinged on the fundamental principles of extensile exposure and vascular anastomosis. Nonetheless, treatment options for such injuries have evolved to include both endovascular stent placement and temporary vascular shunts. The purpose of this study was to evaluate our recent experience with penetrating cervicothoracic arterial injuries in light of these developments in trauma care. METHODS: Patients with penetrating injuries to the innominate, carotid, subclavian, or axillary arteries managed at a single civilian trauma center between 2000 and 2013 were categorized as the modern era (ME) cohort. The management strategies and outcomes pertaining to the ME group were compared to those of previously reported experience (PE) concerning injuries to the innominate, carotid, subclavian, or axillary arteries at the same institution from 1974 to 1988. RESULTS: Over the two eras, there were 202 patients: 110 in the ME group and 92 in the PE group. Most of the injuries in both groups were managed with primary repair (45% vs. 46%; p = 0.89). A similar proportion of injuries in each group was managed with anticoagulation alone (14% vs. 10%; p = 0.40). In the ME group, two cases were managed with temporary shunt placement, and endovascular stent placement was performed in 12 patients. Outcomes were similar between the groups (bivariate comparison): mortality (ME, 15% vs. PE, 14%; p = 0.76), amputation following subclavian or axillary artery injury (ME, 5% vs. PE, 4%; p = 0.58), and posttreatment stroke following carotid injury (ME, 2% vs. PE, 6%; p = 0.57). CONCLUSIONS: Experience with penetrating arterial cervicothoracic injuries at a high-volume urban trauma center remained remarkably similar with respect to both anatomic distribution of injury and treatment. Conventional operative exposure and repair remain the cornerstone of treatment for most civilian cervicothoracic arterial injuries. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic study, level V.

Retained weapon injuries: experience from a civilian metropolitan trauma service in South Africa.

INTRODUCTION: Retained weapon (RW) injuries are uncommon, but there is no current consensus on the best management approach. METHODS: We reviewed our experience of 102 consecutive patients with non-missile RWs in a high-volume metropolitan trauma service managed over a 10-year period. RESULTS: Of the 102 patients, 95 were males (93%), 7 were females (7%), and median age was 24 (21-28) years. Weapons: 73% (74/102) knives, 17% (17/102) screwdrivers, 5% spears, 6% (6/102) others [axe (1), glass fragment (1), stick (1), sickle blade (1), wire (1) and stone (1)]. LOCATION: 8% (8/102) head, 20% (20/102) in the face, 9% (9/102) neck, 14% (14/102) thorax, 25% (26/102) abdomen, 23% (23/102) upper limb, 2% (2/102) lower limb. Four per cent (4/102) were haemodynamically unstable and proceed immediately to the operating theatre for operative exploration and weapon extraction. Imagining: 88 (86%) plain radiographs, 65 (64%) non-contrast CT scans, 41 (40%) contrast CT angiography, 4 (4%) formal angiography. Seventy-two underwent simple extraction, and 29 underwent extract plus open operation. One patient absconded. Specialist surgeons involved in extraction: trauma surgeons (74), neurosurgeons (10), ophthalmic surgeons (11) and ENT surgeons (4). Overall, 92% (94/102) survived to discharge. CONCLUSIONS: The vast majority of patients with RWs will be admitted in a stable condition and haemodynamic instability was almost exclusively seen in the anterior thorax. The most common site was the posterior abdomen. Detailed imagining should be used liberally in stable patients and unplanned extraction in an uncontrolled environment should be strongly discouraged.

Current optimal assessment and management of carotid and vertebral spontaneous and traumatic dissection.

Dissection of the internal carotid or vertebral artery has been recognized as a cause of stroke in young patients. It is disproportionate in its representation as a cause of stroke in this age group. Intimal tears, intramural hematomas, and dissection aneurysms may be the result of trauma or may occur spontaneously. Spontaneous dissection may be the result of inherent arterial weakness or in association with other predisposing factors. Clinical diagnosis is often difficult, but increased awareness and a range of modern investigations such as computerized tomography or magnetic resonance imaging may aid in diagnosis. Management options include antiplatelet therapy, anticoagulation, thrombolysis, and surgical or endovascular procedures. Prognosis is variable, and dissection may be asymptomatic but may lead to profound neurological deficit and death.

Influência da lesão carotídea no pós-operatório de revascularização miocárdica e sua evolução tardia / Influence of carotid injury in post-myocardial revascularization surgery and its late evolution

FUNDAMENTO: Cerca de 30% dos AVE perioperatórios da cirurgia de revascularização do miocárdio (CRM) são decorrentes de lesões carotídeas, sem redução de risco confirmada por intervenção perioperatória. OBJETIVOS: Avaliar o impacto da doença carotídea e a intervenção perioperatória nos pacientes submetidos à CRM. MÉTODOS: Estudo retrospectivo observacional, avaliando 1.169 pacientes com idade > 65 anos submetidos à CRM entre janeiro de 2006 e dezembro de 2010, acompanhados, em média, por 49 meses. Todos foram submetidos à ultrassonografia de carótidas prévia à CRM. Definiu-se doença carotídea quando lesão > 50%. O desfecho primário foi composto pela incidência de AVE, acidente isquêmico transitório (AIT) e óbito por AVE. RESULTADOS: A prevalência da doença carotídea foi de 19,9% dos pacientes. A incidência do desfecho primário entre portadores e não portadores foi de 6,5% e 3,7%, respectivamente (p = 0,0018). Nos primeiros 30 dias, ocorreram 18,2% dos eventos. Relacionaram-se a doença carotídea: disfunção renal (OR 2,03, IC95% 1,34-3,07; p < 0,01), doença arterial periférica (OR 1,80, IC95% 1,22-2,65; p < 0,01) e infarto do miocárdio prévio (OR 0,47, IC95% 0,35-0,65; p < 0,01). Quanto ao desfecho primário, foram associados AIT prévio (OR 5,66, IC95% 1,67-6,35; p < 0,01) e disfunção renal (OR 3,28, IC95% 1,67-6,45; p < 0,01). Nos pacientes com lesão > 70%, a intervenção carotídea perioperatória apresentou incidência de 17% no desfecho primário contra 4,3% na conduta conservadora (p = 0,056) sem diferença entre abordagens percutânea e cirúrgica (p = 0,516). CONCLUSÃO: A doença carotídea aumenta o risco para AVE, AIT ou morte por AVE na CRM. Entretanto, a intervenção carotídea não foi relacionada à redução do desfecho primário.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 30% of perioperative CVA of myocardial revascularization surgery (MRS) are a result of carotid injuries, without reduction of risk confirmed by perioperative intervention. OBJECTIVES: Evaluate the impact of carotid disease and perioperative intervention in patients subjected to MRS. METHODS: Observational, retrospective study, evaluating 1169 patients aged > 69 years undergoing MRS from January, 2006 and December, 2010, monitored, on average, for 49 months. All patients were subjected to ultrasonography of carotids before MRS. It was defined as carotid disease when lesion > 50%. The primary outcome was composed of CVA incidence, transitory ischemic accident (TIA) and death due CVA. RESULTS: Prevalence of carotid disease was of 19.9% of patients. The incidence of primary outcome between unhealthy and healthy patients was of 6.5% and 3.7%, respectively (p = 0.0018). In the first 30 days, there were 18.2% of events. Were related to carotid disease: renal dysfunction (OR 2.03, IC95% 1.34-3.07; p < 0.01), peripheral arterial disease (OR 1.80, IC95% 1.22-2.65; p < 0.01) and previous myocardial infarction (OR 0.47, IC95% 0.35-0.65; p < 0.01). Regarding the primary outcome, were associated the previous TIA (OR 5.66, IC95% 1.67-6.35; p < 0.01) and renal dysfunction (OR 3.28, IC95% 1.67-6.45; p < 0.01). In patients with lesion >70%, perioperative carotid intervention demonstrated an incidence of 16% in primary outcome compared to 4.3% in conservatory treatment (p = 0.056) with no difference between percutaneous and surgical approaches (p = 0.516). CONCLUSION: Carotid disease increases the risk of CVA, TIA or death due to CVA in MRS. However, the carotid intervention was not related to reduction of primary outcome.

Influence of carotid injury in post-myocardial revascularization surgery and its late evolution.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 30% of perioperative CVA of myocardial revascularization surgery (MRS) are a result of carotid injuries, without reduction of risk confirmed by perioperative intervention. OBJECTIVES: Evaluate the impact of carotid disease and perioperative intervention in patients subjected to MRS. METHODS: Observational, retrospective study, evaluating 1169 patients aged > 69 years undergoing MRS from January, 2006 and December, 2010, monitored, on average, for 49 months. All patients were subjected to ultrasonography of carotids before MRS. It was defined as carotid disease when lesion > 50%. The primary outcome was composed of CVA incidence, transitory ischemic accident (TIA) and death due CVA. RESULTS: Prevalence of carotid disease was of 19.9% of patients. The incidence of primary outcome between unhealthy and healthy patients was of 6.5% and 3.7%, respectively (p = 0.0018). In the first 30 days, there were 18.2% of events. Were related to carotid disease: renal dysfunction (OR 2.03, IC95% 1.34-3.07; p < 0.01), peripheral arterial disease (OR 1.80, IC95% 1.22-2.65; p < 0.01) and previous myocardial infarction (OR 0.47, IC95% 0.35-0.65; p < 0.01). Regarding the primary outcome, were associated the previous TIA (OR 5.66, IC95% 1.67-6.35; p < 0.01) and renal dysfunction (OR 3.28, IC95% 1.67-6.45; p < 0.01). In patients with lesion >70%, perioperative carotid intervention demonstrated an incidence of 16% in primary outcome compared to 4.3% in conservatory treatment (p = 0.056) with no difference between percutaneous and surgical approaches (p = 0.516). CONCLUSION: Carotid disease increases the risk of CVA, TIA or death due to CVA in MRS. However, the carotid intervention was not related to reduction of primary outcome.

Endovascular repair of traumatic cervical internal carotid artery injuries: a safe and effective treatment option.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The appropriate choice of treatment for traumatic extracranial carotid artery injury is still debated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate outcomes of endovascular carotid repair with regard to vessel patency and retreatment rates. METHODS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed records of patients who underwent endovascular treatment for acute traumatic internal carotid artery dissection with or without pseudoaneurysm formation. The Biffl classification of blunt carotid arterial injuries with an additional modification to stratify grade 2 and 3 injuries into no-flow-limiting (2a/3a) and flow-limiting (2b/3b) was used to classify injuries. RESULTS: Forty-seven patients underwent 50 endovascular interventions. Forty-four were treated with stents alone, 4 required both stent and coil treatments, and 2 were treated with coils alone. Initial treatment resulted in complete restoration of the normal vessel lumen diameter in 25 (50%) treated vessels and good-to-acceptable restoration in 25 (50%) vessels. A single patient had complete stent occlusion. Three patients required stent and/or coil retreatment. There was no mortality or permanent morbidity relating to endovascular carotid artery repair. Twenty-one patients initially treated with medical management ultimately required endovascular treatment. Eighteen (87.5%) of these injuries were initially classified as grade 3a and 3 (14.3%) were initially grade 2a. Injury progression necessitating treatment was identified, on average, within 5 weeks of the initial injury. CONCLUSIONS: In our series, endovascular therapy was a safe and effective option for restoring luminal caliber and eliminating flow within pseudoaneurysms related to traumatic injuries. Imaging follow-up of all cervicocerebral vascular injuries is especially important within the first 45 days, a critical interval during which most lesions demonstrate healing or progression.

A 20-year experience with surgical management of true and false internal carotid artery aneurysms.

AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study was to retrospectively analyse early and late results of surgical management of internal carotid artery (ICA) true and false aneurysms in a single-centre experience. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 1988 to December 2011, 50 consecutive interventions for ICA aneurismal disease were performed; interventions were performed for true ICA aneurysm in 19 cases (group 1) and for ICA post-carotid endarterectomy (CEA) pseudo-aneurysm in the remaining 31 (group 2). Early results (<30 days) were evaluated in terms of mortality, stroke and cranial nerves' injury and compared between the two groups with χ(2) test. Follow-up results (stroke free-survival, freedom from ICA thrombosis and reintervention) were analysed with Kaplan-Meier curves and compared with log-rank test. RESULTS: All the patients in group 1 had open repair of their ICA aneurysm; in group 2 open repair was performed in 30 cases, while three patients with post-CEA aneurysm without signs of infection had a covered stent placed. There were no perioperative deaths. Two major strokes occurred in group 1 and one major stroke occurred in group 2 (p = 0.1). The rates of postoperative cranial nerve injuries were 10.5% in group 1 and 13% in group 2 (p = 0.8). Median duration of follow-up was 60 months (range 1-276). Estimated 10-year stroke-free survival rates were 64% in group 1 and 37% in group 2 (p = 0.4, log rank 0.5); thrombosis-free survival at 10 years was 66% in group 1 and 34% in group 2 (p = 0.2, log rank 1.2), while the corresponding figures in terms of reintervention-free survival were 68% and 33%, respectively (p = 0.2, log rank 1.8). CONCLUSIONS: Surgical treatment of ICA aneurismal disease provided in our experience satisfactory early and long-term results, without significant differences between true and false aneurysms. In carefully selected patients with non-infected false aneurysm, the endovascular option seems to be feasible.

Endovascular treatment of iatrogenic pseudoaneurysm and delayed carotid-cavernous fistula following trans-sphenoidal surgery / Tratamiento endovascular de pseudoaneurisma y fístula carótida-cavernosa iatrogénica después de la cirugía trans-esfenoidal

Lesiones accidentales de la arteria carótida son complicaciones poco frecuentes de diversos procedimientos diagnósticos y terapéuticos. Representan una condición grave y potencialmente mortal si el tratamiento no se realiza adecuadamente. Un paciente de sexo femenino, 45 años de edad, que ingresó en el servicio de Otorrinolaringología con queja de la disminución de la agudeza auditiva y acúfenos en el oído izquierdo. La resonancia magnética encefálica mostro una formación expansiva / infiltrativa a comprometer desde la nasofaringe izquierda hasta la base del cráneo, con la participación de la arteria carótida interna (ACI) en el mismo lado en su segmento petroso. Durante el procedimiento de biopsia, se produjo una laceración en la carótida derecha intracavernosa con sangrado abundante. Se realizó un taponamiento local y el paciente fue remitido a la angiografía cerebral que mostró un seudoaneurisma en la arteria carótida interna derecha en su segmento cavernoso. Después de una prueba de oclusión, la ACI derecha fue ocluida por 2 globos. Tres semanas después, el estado del paciente mostró empeoramiento progresivo de la agudeza visual, proptosis ocular, hiperemia conjuntival y la restricción del movimiento ocular en el ojo derecho. Una nueva angiografía fue realizada y mostró la persistencia de la oclusión de la ACI en su origen y un seudoaneurisma asociado con fístula carótido-cavernosa derecha, que se opacificado después de la inyección de contraste en la ACI izquierda, a través de la arteria comunicante anterior. El paciente fue sometido a un nuevo tratamiento endovascular con resolución de la lesión. Laceración de ACI durante la cirugía transesfenoidal es una complicación rara y potencialmente fatal. La prevención es el mejor tratamiento para cualquier lesión accidental. La utilización de técnicas endovasculares ha permitido para el tratamiento satisfactorio de esta condición.

Accidental carotid artery lesions are uncommon complications from diverse diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. It represents a grave and potentially lethal condition if treatment is not adequately performed. A female patient, 45 years old, who was admitted to the Otolaryngology service complaining of diminished auditory acuity and tinnitus in the left ear. The encephalic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed an expansive/infiltrative formation compromising the left nasopharynx to the skull base, involving the ipsilateral internal carotid artery (ICA) in its petrous segment. During the biopsy procedure, there was a right intracavernous ICA laceration with copious bleeding. A local tamponade was performed and the patient was referred to cerebral angiography (CAG), which showed a right ICA pseudoaneurysm in its intracavernous segment. After a balloon occlusion test, the right ICA was occluded by 2 balloons. Three weeks after, the patient’s condition showed progressive worsening of visual acuity, occular proptosis, conjuctival hyperemia and occular movement restriction in the right eye. A new CAG was performed and showed persistence in the right ICA occlusion in its origin and an intracavernous pseudoaneurysm associated with ipsilateral carotidcavernous fistula, which became opacified after contrast injection in left ICA, through the anterior communicating artery. The patient was submitted to a new endovascular treatment with lesion resolution. ICA laceration during transsphenoidal surgery is a rare and potentially fatal complication. The prevention is the best treatment for any accidental lesion. Utilization of endovascular techniques has allowed for satisfactory treatment of this condition.

Risk of carotid blowout after reirradiation of the head and neck: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: Carotid blowout (CB) is a rare but frequently fatal complication of head-and-neck (H&N) cancer or its treatment. We sought to determine the reported rate of CB in patients receiving salvage reirradiation for H&N cancer. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A literature search identified 27 published articles on H&N reirradiation involving 1554 patients, and a pooled analysis was performed to determine the rate of CB. Treatment parameters, including prior radiation dose, interval from prior radiation, dose and fractionation of reirradiation, use of salvage surgery, and chemotherapy, were abstracted and summarized. The cumulative risk of CB was compared between groups using Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: Among 1554 patients receiving salvage H&N reirradiation, there were 41 reported CBs, for a rate of 2.6%; 76% were fatal. In patients treated in a continuous course with 1.8-2-Gy daily fractions or 1.2-Gy twice-daily fractions, 36% of whom received concurrent chemotherapy, the rate of CB was 1.3%, compared with 4.5% in patients treated with 1.5 Gy twice daily in alternating weeks or with delayed accelerated hyperfractionation, all of whom received concurrent chemotherapy (p = 0.002). There was no statistically significant difference in the rate of CB between patients treated with or without concurrent chemotherapy, or between patients treated with or without salvage surgery before reirradiation. CONCLUSION: Carotid blowout is an infrequent but serious complication of salvage reirradiation for H&N cancer. The rate of CB was lower among patients treated with conventional or hyperfractionated schedules compared with regimens of accelerated hyperfractionation, though heterogeneous patient populations and treatment parameters preclude definite conclusions. Given the high mortality rate of CB, discussion of the risk of CB is an important component of informed consent for salvage reirradiation.

The role of embolisation in ENT: an update.

OBJECTIVE: To provide an update on the ever-increasing role that embolisation plays in the practice of otolaryngology. METHOD: A literature search was performed during November 2008. The Medline, Embase, PubMed and Cochrane databases were searched. This resulted in 285 papers relevant for review. CONCLUSION: The role of embolisation has expanded greatly to include the management of refractory epistaxis, pre-operative preparation of vascular tumours, vascular injuries and as an adjunct in skull base surgery.

Predicting outcomes using the National Trauma Data Bank: optimum management of traumatic blunt carotid and blunt thoracic injury.

INTRODUCTION: We used the National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB) to examine the incidence of blunt thoracic and carotid trauma nationally and survival outcomes based on treatment approach. METHODS: All vascular traumas were identified from the 2008 NTDB. International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision (ICD-9) diagnosis coding was used to identify 178 blunt thoracic aortic injuries and 313 traumatic blunt carotid injuries. RESULTS: In all, 2089 vascular traumas were identified. Patients with blunt thoracic trauma within the highest injury severity score (ISS) range (61-75) had a significant survival advantage when observation was compared with endovascular management (P < .05). In the carotid trauma cohort, those with the highest ISS range (61-75) had a significant survival advantage with open surgery compared with observation (P < .01). CONCLUSION: Patients with traumatic blunt thoracic injury and an ISS > 61 appeared to benefit from endovascular approaches compared with open management. Patients with blunt carotid trauma and an ISS > 61 appeared to benefit from open surgical management.

Operative management of penetrating carotid artery injuries.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse management and outcomes of carotid artery (CA) injuries. DESIGN: Retrospective study of the patients in the combat operations in Chechnya (1999-2002) and in peacetime (2003-2009). MATERIALS: A total of 46 patients with missile (27) and stab (19) wounds, who had common and internal CA injury, underwent an open surgery. Temporary shunts (TSs) were placed in eight patients with more severe injuries. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of patients' data. RESULTS: CA ligation and CA repair were performed in 9 and 37 patients, respectively. Of the nine patients with CA ligation, five developed neurologic deficit; the remaining four patients died (100% of poor outcomes). Of the 37 patients with blood flow restoration, nine patients died and neurologic deficit persisted in two patients (30% of poor outcomes) (p < 0.05). Among patients with TS, three patients died and two had stable neurologic deficit (63% of poor results). Of the patients without TS, 10 patients died and five had neurologic disorders (56% of poor outcomes) (p = 0.53). CONCLUSIONS: CA repair is the method of choice in CA injury. TS use does not result in a decreased mortality rate or neurologic deficit reduction in patients with severe injuries.