Semin intervent Radiol 2007; 24(1): 047-052
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-971189
Copyright © 2007 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Covered Stent Treatment of Carotid Blowout Syndrome

Ron C. Gaba1 , Derek L. West1 , 2 , James T. Bui1 , 2 , Charles A. Owens1 , 2 , Franklin A. Marden1 , 3
  • 1Department of Radiology, University of Illinois Medical Center at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
  • 2Section of Interventional Radiology, University of Illinois Medical Center at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
  • 3Current affiliation: Fairfax Radiology, Fairfax, Virginia
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
27 March 2007 (online)

ABSTRACT

Carotid artery blowout is a devastating complication of head and neck malignancy, irradiation, and trauma. New endovascular therapies of acute carotid artery rupture involve stent-directed, carotid-sparing treatment strategies. We report a case of successful covered stent treatment of carotid artery hemorrhage in the setting of head and neck cancer and review the literature describing the use of this therapeutic method. Evaluation of 19 recently reported cases of covered stent treatment of carotid artery blowout due to head and neck cancer and presenting with sentinel or acute hemorrhage demonstrates that this method is a fast and effective means of controlling bleeding, with a technical success rate of ~95%. A significant early recurrent hemorrhage rate raises concern regarding the short-term safety and efficacy of this therapy, however, and suggests that stent graft treatment of carotid artery rupture due to head and neck malignancy is best suited as a temporizing measure before more definitive therapy.

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Ron C GabaM.D. 

Department of Radiology, University of Illinois Medical Center at Chicago

1740 West Taylor Street, MC 931, Chicago, IL 60612