Citation

Ribeiro Ribeiro AL, Brasil da Silva W, Alves-Junior SD, de Jesus Viana Pinheiro J. Oral Surg. Oral Med. Oral Pathol. Oral Radiol. 2014; 119(3): e95-e100.

Affiliation

Department of Oral Pathology, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Pará-UFPA, Belém, Brazil.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.oooo.2014.08.017

PMID

25442245

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Vascular lesions are rare complications associated to mandibular condylar fractures. This paper aims to describe a case of a giant pseudoaneurysm involving the external carotid artery (ECA) caused by a condylar fracture. CASE REPORT: A 33-year-old man was the victim of traffic accident and presented with a panfacial fracture, including a bilateral condylar fracture. The condylar fracture was treated by closed reduction, and 4 weeks after treatment, the patient developed facial edema, which suggested postoperative infection. An attempt at draining it resulted in intensive bleeding. A computed tomographic angiography showed a huge pseudoaneurysm originating from the ECA. The patient was treated with surgery with ligation of the ECA and drainage of the pseudoaneurysm.

CONCLUSION: Vascular complications associated with condylar fractures are rare, but surgeons should be aware of this type of complication, especially because of the high risk of serious damage, including death. The use of computed tomographic angiography is very helpful in the diagnosis of vascular lesions and also guides treatment.

Language: en