Citation

Manuel V, Melo RGE, Fernandes RFE, Santos AR, Silvestre L, Silva E, Soares T, Pedro LM. EJVES Short Rep. 2018; 40: 21-25.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018)

DOI

10.1016/j.ejvssr.2018.08.003

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: There is much debate in the literature regarding the management of blunt cervical carotid injuries. This report describes a case of bilateral carotid artery dissection in the very uncommon case of a near hanging victim and the treatment controversies regarding its management. Report: A 50 year old male patient was admitted after attempted suicide through hanging, having been swiftly rescued by a bystander. On admission, six hours after the event there was no neurological deficit. There was evidence of soft tissue damage related to the rope position, subcutaneous emphysema, and neck swelling. The CT angiogram showed dissection of both common carotid arteries with significant luminal narrowing as well as fracture of the thyroid cartilage; brain injury was excluded. Heparin infusion was started and an endovascular repair with bilateral covered stent placement, requiring coverage of the external carotid artery on the left side, was performed. The vascular procedure was uneventful. The patient was discharged 36 days after the event, on dual antiplatelet drugs and under regular psychiatric and speech therapy care, and is currently alive and well 22 months after surgery with no neurological damage.

DISCUSSION: The choice of treatment was not straightforward as there are no guidelines or consensus around its management. In this case, however, an endovascular repair seemed suitable and the result was optimal, with no neurological damage and a good result after 22 months. © 2018 The Author(s)

Language: en

Keywords

adult; human; male; case report; suicide attempt; hanging; victim; clinical article; priority journal; middle aged; brain injury; speech therapy; computer assisted tomography; heparin; Article; internal carotid artery; carotid artery injury; common carotid artery; external carotid artery; antithrombocytic agent; Near-hanging; endovascular surgery; subcutaneous emphysema; neck swelling; Carotid blunt injury; carotid dissection; dual antiplatelet therapy; Endovascular repair