Describe the etiology.
commonly atherosclerosis, trauma (iatrogenic or penetrating injury), infection (septic emboli)
List clinical features.
Pulsatile neck mass (below angle of mandible)
Associated bruit
Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) or stroke
Mass effect on adjacent structures (veins and nerves) causes hoarseness, facial swelling, dysphagia
Describe the diagnosis.
Ultrasound (initial): evidence of swirling blood with a thrombus
CT or MR angiography: determines the site and size of the aneurysm, excludes rupture or other pathologies
Describe complications.
Rupture: airway compression, pharyngeal hemorrhage, epistaxis
Neck infection: pain, fever
Describe the treatment.
surgical repair, either in the form of an aneurysm excision and reconstruction or endovascular repair (grafting or stenting)
Last changeda year ago