무증상 두개외 경동맥류 1례

Asymptomatic Extracranial Internal Carotid Artery Aneurysm: A Case Report

Extracranial carotid artery aneurysms represent <1% of all arterial aneurysms. Despite its rare incidence, the potential complications of extracranial carotid artery aneurysm that can be fatal including rupture, cranial nerve dysfunction, and ischemic stroke. A 79-year-old woman visited our hospital due to a chronic headache and dizziness. Computed tomography (CT) of head and neck revealed 2.4×1.9 cm-sized aneurysmal dilatation in the cervical portion of the internal carotid artery (ICA). 4-vessel angiography revealed an extracranial cervical ICA aneurysm. The patient and her family refused further treatment due to the surgical risks. The extracranial ICA aneurysm should be considered as vascular lesions in elderly patients considering its potentially fatal complications.