Use of a Viabahn stent for repair of a common carotid artery pseudoaneurysm and dissection

Abstract

Carotid procedures in the previously operated neck are both technically demanding and subject to increased rates of complications. Adding radiation to the operated field only increases these risks. The incidence of cranial nerve injury in the reoperative neck has increased. Similarly, patients with a history of radiation are at increased risk for stroke, cranial nerve injury, and wound complications. Before the endovascular era, the only option for repair of an extracranial carotid aneurysm was open operation. Recently, more experience has been gained using endovascular techniques to repair these aneurysms. We present a patient with a history of radiation and radical neck dissection who developed a pseudoaneurysm of the common carotid artery. This pseudoaneurysm was repaired successfully using a Viabhan covered stent graft.