Endovascular Stent Placement of Cervical Internal Carotid Artery Dissection Related to a Seat-Belt Injury: A Case Report

Abstract

Object: The incidence of carotid artery dissection related to blunt injury is very low, but the mortality rate is high. Rapid diagnosis and proper treatments are discussed.

Clinical Presentation: A 48-year-old woman presented diplopia and pulsating tinnitus of the left ear. An angiography showed a carotid cavernous fistula (CCF) and dissection of the extra-cranial internal carotid artery (ICA). To treat the dissection, a self-expanding endovascular stent was used. She has been followed for 6 years without any event and the ICA is patent.

Conclusion: Prompt diagnosis without delay and intimate follow-up is the key for the treatment of a carotid injury. Those patients who exhibit cervical bruits and/or seat-belt signs should be examined aggressively. Angioplasty with stents is amenable for patients with traumatic carotid dissections requiring vascular reconstruction in the acute stage.

Key words

Seat-belt injury - carotid artery dissection - stent - carotid cavernous fistula

References

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