Post-surgical Swallowing Rehabilitation Combined with Electric Stimulation to Treat Persistent Dysphagia Arising from a Large Internal Carotid Artery Aneurysm

Abstract

In this report, we describe the case of a 99-year-old woman who presented with a large extracranial internal carotid artery aneurysm (ICAA) in the left submandibular area, which manifested as progressive dysphagia. The patient underwent aneurysmectomy and reconstruction of the left internal carotid artery and left common carotid artery to the internal/external carotid artery via bypass grafting. However, persistent dysphagia remained after surgery. A therapeutic strategy was employed, combining swallowing training with transcutaneous neuromuscular electric stimulation of the swallowing muscles. The patient’s dysphagia was gradually alleviated, and she was eventually able to eat normally and continue with previous daily activities. This case study demonstrates the efficacy of this therapeutic strategy in combating persistent dysphagia arising from a giant ICAA-a finding relevant to the clinical management of patients with this disease presentation.