Large Traumatic Skull Base Internal Carotid Artery Pseudoaneurysm managed With Endovascular Flow Diversion: 2-Dimensional Operative Video

Abstract

We present a case of a traumatic skull base internal carotid artery (ICA) pseudoaneurysm treated with endovascular flow diversion stenting. The patient was a 27-year-old male who was involved in a motorcycle accident suffering multiple traumatic injuries including a large skull base fracture that extended through the carotid canal. Computed tomography angiography revealed a 2-cm right ICA pseudoaneurysm. Once the patient was stable, a digital subtraction angiography demonstrated enlargement of the pseudoaneurysm. After his other injuries were addressed by trauma and orthopedic surgery, at day 9 after his initial injury, the patient was loaded with aspirin and clopidrogel in preparation for stent reconstruction of his ICA injury. Under conscious sedation and systemic heparinization, the patient underwent endovascular reconstruction of the large pseudoaneurysm using telescoping flow diversion stents. Immediate intra-aneurysm flow stasis was observed. No procedure-related complications occurred. The patient did well and at last follow-up remained neurologically intact.