Neuroradiology

Carotid artery aneurysm

aneurysm of the extracranial carotid artery. They are usually secondary to trauma and carotid dissection; they may, however, be found spontaneously in patients with fibromuscular dysplasia or neurofibromatosis.

When related to trauma they may be considered false aneurysms since they develop either following dissection or in a previous haemorrhagic cavity.

CT, MR and angiography (Fig.1) all show the precise nature of the outpouching and its relationship with the parent artery and adjacent tissues. CT angiography may be useful in planning for surgical or endovascular treatment with stenting.

GS

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Fig.1

a, b. Oblique (a) and AP (b) projection of the left internal carotid artery in the neck. A large spontaneous fusiform aneurysm is most likely the result of a previous dissection.
Carotid artery aneurysm, Fig.1 (a)
Carotid artery aneurysm, Fig.1 (b)