Spontaneous retro- and parapharyngeal haematoma caused by intrathyroid bleed

A case of spontaneous haemorrhage into the retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal space secondary to bleeding from a thyroid cyst is described. While many conditions are known to cause this entity, no previous papers have reported a thyroid cyst to cause such extensive haemorrhage. Haemorrhage in these spaces is of particular importance as it causes rapid airway compromise and can be life-threatening. Forty cases of non-traumatic retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal haematomas have been reported in the literature to date. Although the diagnosis can be easily established in most patients, no published review of this condition exists. This paper reviews all reports of non-traumatic retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal haematoma published in the literature to date and discusses management guidelines. We also present here for the first time the demographics and treatment results of this rare entity.     

A case of cerebellar infarction caused by vertebral artery injury from a stab wound to the neck

Vertebral artery injuries are the least common arterial injuries because of the deep location of the vessel in a bony canal. Injury of this vessel has not been associated with neurological deficits, and it is thought that many of these injuries are not recognized. The incidence of vertebral artery injury occurring after a penetration wound to the neck varies from 1.0% in gunshot wounds to 7.4% in stab wounds. However, even with vertebral artery injury in penetration wounds of the neck the association with cerebellar infarction is a rare occurrence. We describe a case of cerebellar infarction caused by vertebral artery injury from a stab wound that severed the vessel between the transverse processes of C3 and C4 with a hypoplastic contralateral vertebral artery. The patient ultimately suffered infarction of the cerebellum due to the lack of preservation of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery blood flow. Management is discussed and the medical literature is reviewed.     

Tapia syndrome caused by a vertebral artery dissection

A 63-year-old man presented to our otorhinolaryngology department with hoarseness and neck pain of 3 weeks' duration. After a thorough workup, we established a diagnosis of Tapia syndrome secondary to a vertebral artery dissection. We review the literature and discuss the clinical presentation of this rare syndrome.     

Intracranial vertebral artery dissection mimicking acute peripheral vertigo

When diagnosing and treating patients with acute vertigo, the clinician must differentiate brain lesions from benign peripheral disorders. We here report a rare case of acute vertigo caused by intracranial vertebral artery dissection mimicking peripheral disease. A 67-year-old man presented with spontaneous nystagmus and moderate ataxia preceded by neck pain. No other neurological signs were observed, suggesting acute peripheral vertigo. However, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated a cerebellar infarction. Simultaneous magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) showed no flow void of the left vertebral artery and contrast-enhanced MRA demonstrated a double lumen sign, suggesting that vertebral artery dissection was a cause of infarction. The clinical course was favorable without anticoagulation drugs, which are sometimes contraindicated because of the potential risk of subarachnoid hemorrhage. Vertebral artery dissection can cause cerebellar infarction in patients without vascular risk factors mimicking acute peripheral vertigo. Careful history regarding the neck pain is important and MRA in combination with MRI can replace angiography in diagnosing this disorder.     

A possible correlation between vertebral artery insufficiency and degenerative changes in the cervical spine

We studied 130 patients, aged 20 to 81 years, with symptoms of tinnitus, vertigo or dizziness. Radiological examinations revealed degenerative changes in the cervical spines of all patients such as discopathy or osteophytes. Head and neck and neurological examinations ruled out other symptoms apart from vertebrobasilar artery flow insufficiency. The vertebrobasilar arteries were examined by means of a color Doppler ultrasonograph using duplex scanning. The correlation coefficient (CC) defining the relationship between the number of patients with abnormal blood flow and the total number of patients with radiologically confirmed changes in the cervical spine was 41.5%. When patients were separated by age, the value of the CC coefficient increased proportionally according to age, changing from 0 to 79.1%. Use of the Doppler ultrasonograph was found to be a safe and non-invasive diagnostic method that enabled us to assess the influence of degenerative changes in the cervical spine on hemodynamic disturbances in the inner ear and brain stem. Our findings demonstrated a pathological decrease of vertebral artery flow velocity in relationship to degenerative changes in the cervical spine. Received: 19 August 1997 / Accepted: 6 January 1998     

A spontaneous true aneurysm of the superficial temporal artery treated by surgical resection

An aneurysm of the superficial temporary artery (STA) has a rarer occurrence than intracranial aneurysm. However, traumatic aneurysms of the STA are not unusual and have been reported about more than 400 cases. Most of these were pseudoaneurysms caused by blunt trauma because of the anatomical location of STA. In contrast, spontaneous or non-traumatic aneurysms of the STA are quite rare and only 8 cases of spontaneous true aneurysms in the STA have been reported. Herein, we report a case of a 77-year-old woman, who presented with a preauricular mass showing subacute enlargement over the previous two months. She had no history of head injury. Imaging studies demonstrated that the mass was a saccular type aneurysm accompanied by afferent and efferent vessels. The mass was resected under general anesthesia and there were no symptoms or signs of local circulatory deficiency, nor was there any interference with nerve function after the surgery. Pathological examination showed that the mass was a true aneurysm. The literature is reviewed and the management of the STA aneurysm is discussed.     

Case of three delayed complications of radiotherapy: Bilateral vocal cord immobility,esophageal obstruction and ruptured pseudoaneurysm of carotid artery

We report the first case of three delayed complications following irradiation for laryngeal carcinoma: bilateral vocal cord immobility, obstruction of esophagus and spontaneously ruptured pseudoaneurysm of common carotid artery. Medial fixation of bilateral vocal cords and stenosis of cervical esophagus were noted at 28 years after radiotherapy. Spontaneous rupture of a pseudoaneurysm bulging into the hypopharynx and obstruction of the esophagus occurred at 35 years after irradiation. The life-threatening hemorrhage was successfully treated by microcoil embolization of the common carotid artery. The relationship between these complications and irradiation is also discussed.     

First-bite syndrome: a review of 29 patients with parapharyngeal space tumor

Objective

The aim of this study is to clarify the etiology of first-bite syndrome.

Methods

A total of 29 consecutive patients treated with a surgical resection for parapharyngeal space tumor between April 1999 and April 2005 were retrospectively reviewed.

Results

Nine cases of first-bite syndrome were developed. Eight of those patients had undergone surgical ablation of the cervical sympathetic chain and/or external carotid artery. In two patients who underwent ablation of the sympathetic chain but in whom first-bite syndrome did not develop, the superior cervical ganglion was probably preserved.

Conclusion

The present findings strongly indicate that loss of sympathetic innervation to the parotid gland from the superior cervical ganglion causes first-bite syndrome. They also suggest that some residual or autonomous activity of the superior cervical ganglion could prevent development of first-bite syndrome even if the lower sympathetic trunk was ablated.     

Neck hematoma caused by spontaneous common carotid artery rupture

We present a case of an 83-year-old male without previous history who presented with a cervical hematoma, initially misdiagnosed as a neck phlegmona. In the course of the diagnostic workup, the hematoma enlarged, thereby causing respiratory distress because of upper airway compromise. The endotracheal intubation was lifesaving. Later, contrast enhanced computed tomography revealed hematoma in the region of the left common carotid artery. Emergency surgery evacuated the hematoma and repaired a slit-like defect of the left common carotid 2 cm before bifurcation. The patient was discharged on the seventh postoperative day in good condition. We discuss four aspects of the case, namely, the rarity of the condition and the variety of causes, the diagnostic and treatment strategy, the uncertain reasons for spontaneous ruptures of the carotid, and the operative techniques for hematoma evacuation and definitive hemostasis. The optimal strategy for cases of cervical hematoma is the following: intubation, diagnosis, and surgery.     

Effects of asymmetric vertebral blood flow upon the vestibulo-ocular reflex of the rabbit

Summary Per-rotational nystagmus was recorded in rabbits with unilaterally narrowed vertebral arteries or following unilateral cervical sympathectomies. Asymmetry of per-rotational nystagmus could not be observed when the animal's systemic arterial blood pressure was within the normal range (about 90–120 mm Hg). However, directional preponderance of nystagmus occurred when blood pressure either increased or decreased beyond this level. The reason for the occurrence of directional preponderance can be interpreted as a failure of autoregulation of cerebral and/or inner ear blood flow.     

The usefulness of abscess tonsillectomy followed by intraoral drainage for parapharyngeal abscess concomitant with peritonsillar abscess in the elderly

Parapharyngeal abscess (PPA) may cause life-threatening complications and peritonsillar abscess (PTA) and tonsillitis frequently precede PPA. The optimal management of PPA caused by PTA has been the subject of debate with respect to the surgical approach. We present three cases of PPA concomitant with PTA in elderly patients. In two cases, the abscesses in parapharyngeal space were drained by abscess tonsillectomy followed by intraoral incision of the tonsillar bed. On the other hand, the third case did not undergo abscess tonsillectomy because of his refusal of surgery and needed extraoral drainage after the aggravation of PPA. Based on the experience of those three cases, it was suggested that abscess tonsillectomy followed by intraoral incision of the tonsillar bed might be a useful surgical approach for the drainage of PPA concomitant with PTA, especially in elderly patients.     

外伤性蝶窦内颈内动脉假性动脉瘤的诊断及治疗探讨（附6例报告）

目的：探讨外伤性蝶窦内颈内动脉假性动脉瘤的早期诊断方法,防止误诊,并选择正确的治疗方法,降低死亡率。方法：回顾性分析6例确诊为外伤性蝶窦内假性动脉瘤患者的诊断和治疗经过,并结合国内外相关文献资料,提出早期诊断方法,选择最佳治疗方案。结果：6例患者均有头部外伤病史,并有不同程度反复发作的鼻出血,2例单眼失明;6例中1例行一侧颈总动脉结扎,3例行可脱球囊闭塞动脉瘤及颈内动脉,1例行微弹簧圈栓塞颈内动脉,该5例均痊愈;1例仅反复行鼻腔填塞,因大出血死亡。结论：该病可因难已控制的鼻出血而致死,早期诊断,合理治疗可治愈。     

Transtympanic pseudoaneurysm of the internal carotid artery complicating a myringotomy in a four-year old child: Case report and literature review

We report the first case of a transtympanic iatrogenic internal carotid artery (ICA) pseudoaneurysm diagnosed in a 4-year-old child following a myringotomy. An endovascular treatment with a covered-stent was decided; spontaneous thrombosis was found during the therapeutic arteriography, and the procedure was aborted. Otoscopy and computed tomography (CT) scan monitoring showed a prolonged thrombosis and the disappearance of the pseudoaneurysm 18 months after the diagnostic arteriography. Based on literature review, endovascular techniques seem to be preferred to the surgical approach for treatment of intrapetrous ICA pseudoaneurysm, however clinical and CT scan monitoring may also be a valid option.     

Propionibacterium skull base osteomyelitis complicated by internal carotid artery pseudoaneurysm

The microbiology of skull base osteomyelitis (SBO) is evolving. We present here the first case of SBO caused by Propionibacterium acnes leading to the development of a pseudoaneurysm of the internal carotid artery. Otolaryngologists should recognize this pathogen as a potential cause of invasive temporal bone infection to optimize prompt diagnosis and treatment. Laryngoscope , 127:2337–2339, 2017     

An internal carotid artery pseudoaneurysm with neck hematoma: A rare cause of a life-threatening neck mass mimicking an abscess

A neck mass has a broad and complex differential diagnosis, generally divided into neoplastic, congenital and inflammatory categories. An internal carotid artery hemorrhage with pseudoaneurysm formation is a very rare entity that may resemble other common conditions in the differential diagnosis. Large, expanding or symptomatic pseudoaneurysm is critical to efficiently diagnose and manage, due to risk of life-threatening hemorrhage. We present a case of an adult male patient with clinical and laboratory signs of severe neck cellulitis and a large gradually increasing neck mass, primarily suggestive of an abscess. Neck CT and MRI imaging revealed the presence of a disruption of the internal carotid artery resulting in a large hematoma and formation of pseudoaneurysm. A multidisciplinary team of interventional radiologists and ENT surgeons successfully treated the patient by endovascular placement of stents and subsequent surgical drainage. Awareness of such a rare, life-threatening condition and efficient multidisciplinary teamwork are essential for patient management.     

外伤性颌内动脉损伤引起严重鼻出血的诊断及治疗探讨(附12例报告)

目的 探讨颌面部外伤引起的颌内动脉损伤致严重鼻出血的发病机制、出血特点、诊断及治疗方法。 方法 回顾分析经手术或数字减影血管造影(DSA)证实颌面外伤引起的颌内动脉损伤致严重鼻出血12例的病例资料。 结果 6例行鼻内镜检查,见鼻腔外侧壁黏膜下有搏动出血,迅速改行柯-陆氏入路找到出血责任血管并止血,其中4例同期行上颌骨、颧骨骨折复位、钛板坚强内固定术。6例行DSA确诊并行血管栓塞治疗。 结论 对颌面外伤后反复鼻腔大出血患者,应考虑颌内动脉损伤,应尽早行鼻内镜检查止血和/或DSA检查并行栓塞治疗。若行鼻内镜检查止血过程中来不及栓塞治疗,可立即经柯-陆氏入路找到出血责任血管行血管结扎或电凝,也可填塞碘仿纱条止血。止血后请口腔颌面外科同期行颌面骨折复位坚强内固定术。     

Central retinal artery occlusion: An unusual complication in a case of nasopharyngeal angiofibroma solely supplied by ipsilateral internal maxillary artery

The present communication attempts to highlight a dreaded complication of central retinal artery occlusion following selective embolisation of internal maxillary artery in a patient of nasopharyngeal angiofibroma. With the advent of endoscopic procedures on this vascular tumours the embolisation had been facilitatory by reducing the amount of bleeding thereby reducing the intra and post-operative morbidity, but the complications inherent to such procedures are equally serious [1] and [2].The warning signs and the treatment modalities for the same have been discussed.     

急性扁桃体炎致甲状腺脓肿、咽旁间隙脓肿一例并文献复习

目的 探讨急性扁桃体炎引起甲状腺脓肿继而导致颈部间隙脓肿的病因,研究其感染可能的发展途径及治疗手段的利弊。 方法 依照CT所示进行颈侧切开、开放所有颈部间隙,充分冲洗引流。 结果 经过颈侧切开,颈部间隙充分开放引流后,患者体温逐日下降,10 d恢复正常。 结论 B超、增强CT是鉴别颈部囊肿与脓肿有效手段,穿刺病理诊断是鉴别的金标准。口腔、颌面部感染同时出现甲状腺囊肿样结节要警惕脓肿形成。颈侧切开、充分冲洗引流是治疗咽旁间隙脓肿的有效手段。