Traumatic occipital artery pseudoaneurysm: Case report, anatomical considerations, and literature review.
Natália Vasconcellos de Oliveira Souza, Kevin Janot, Adam A Dmytriw et al.
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Case in brief
A 22-year-old man developed a painful, enlarging neck hematoma after a penetrating knife injury. Computed tomography angiography demonstrated active bleeding from a traumatic occipital artery pseudoaneurysm, prompting neuroendovascular consultation. The report discusses upper cervical vascular anatomy, including a potentially dangerous anastomosis between the vertebral and internal carotid arteries, and how this anatomy informed the treatment strategy. The abstract does not specify the treatment performed or the clinical outcome.
What made this case unusual
The treatment strategy was shaped by the risk posed by an upper cervical anastomosis between the vertebral and internal carotid arteries.
Diagnostic / clinical pearl
After penetrating neck trauma with an expanding hematoma, consider an occipital artery pseudoaneurysm; CT angiography can identify active bleeding and inform assessment of relevant cervical vascular connections.