A rare case report of extensive extracranial internal carotid artery aneurysm and its endovascular management

Abstract

Aneurysms of the extracranial carotid arteries can occur as a result of atherosclerotic degeneration, traumatic injury, dissection, or local infection or as a complication after carotid endarterectomy. Extracranial carotid artery aneurysm (ECAA) is an uncommon but important clinical entity. Carotid aneurysms are extremely rare in comparison with atherosclerotic occlusive disease of the same location. These aneurysms are also rare in comparison with aneurysms involving the intracranial carotid arteries and their branches. The reported incidence of incidental intracranial aneurysms discovered in autopsy studies ranges from 0.8% to 18%. The incidence of ECAA is largely unknown, but it represents only 1%–1.5% of procedures performed for extracranial cerebrovascular disease at major referral centers.