Aneurysms of the extracranial carotid artery are rare and may present as mass of tonsil fossa, lateral pharyngeal region and neck, with ischemic symptoms, or with hemorrhage. The causes of this disease include trauma, atherosclerosis, syphilis,
mycosis
and other degenerative or congenital vascular wall conditions. Although physical diagnosis is not difficult, but we often make misdiagnosis due to its rarity. Furthermore degenerative process involving the arterial wall often make surgical repair
difficult.
Recently authors experienced a case of extracranial carotid artery areurysm, which was successfully removed and reconstructed with saphenous vein graft. So we reviewed the clinical characteristics, possibility of misdiagnosis and problem of
management.
(Korean J Otolaryngol 38:10, 1995)
|