Carotid Blowout Syndrome Research Articles

Efficacy of lenvatinib in a patient with anaplastic thyroid cancer.

We experienced a case of an 82-year-old woman who presented to our hospital with a 1-month history of dysphagia and dyspnea. Cervical contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed diffuse thyroid neoplasms causing significant tracheal stenosis with tumors, particularly of the superior mediastinum, which were associated with an embolism of the brachiocephalic vein and suspected invasion to the bilateral common carotid arteries. Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) was diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration; thus, emergency tracheostomy and gastrostomy were performed. We made a definitive diagnosis of ATC (T4bN0M0 Stage IVB) and initiated continuous lenvatinib administration at 24 mg/day. Although several adverse events occurred, the tumor size reduced remarkably over a short period. However, the patient died from rupture of the common carotid artery 30 days after treatment initiation. Here, we report our experience with lenvatinib therapy for ATC and include a literature review.Learning points:Lenvatinib is extremely effective for ATC.Lenvatinib has a much greater cytoreductive effect than traditional therapies, but it needs dose reduction or withdrawal because of treatment-related side effects.Lenvatinib may cause treatment-related carotid blowout syndrome, resulting in death for patients with invasion to the carotid artery.

Carotid blowout syndrome after intensity-modulated radiation therapy: A case report

Carotid blowout syndrome (CBS) is a rarely seen complication of head-neck surgery and radiation therapy. It may present by massive ear bleeding or epistaxis with high morbidity and mortality rates. Success rate of endovascular therapy or emergency surgery is unfortunately low because of massive bleeding and weakened vessel architecture. Here, we present a 45-year-old male with nasopharyngeal carcinoma and treated with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and concurrent chemotherapy. The patient was diagnosed with stage III (T3N2M0) carcinoma of the nasopharynx. Eight months after radiotherapy, he was admitted to hospital with the complaint of epistaxis. Right internal carotid angiography revealed a 4 mm pseudoaneurysm at the superioranterior wall of the petrous and his bleeding was controlled by stenting in the same session. In this report we aimed to draw attention to this rare clinical situation that might enhance the chance of early diagnosis enabling less morbid treatment opportunities.

EP-1079: Carotid blowout syndrome after reirradiation with particle therapy in the head and neck region

EP-1079: Carotid blowout syndrome after reirradiation with particle therapy in the head and neck region

Carotid blowout syndrome: An oncological emergency less discussed.

Carotid blowout syndrome: An oncological emergency less discussed.

Endovascular Treatment for Carotid Blowout Syndrome after Radiation: A Case Report

Carotid blowout syndrome is one of the most complex bleeding complications that may occur in head and neck cancers patients. The purpose of this paper is to report the clinical manifestations and endovascular management of a case of patient with neck malignancies and a history of radiotherapy. The patient underwent immediate covered stent deployment which resulted in the successful control of bleeding.

Acute carotid blowout in a postirradiated malignant ulcer – repair versus ligation… is preservation of carotid artery worth it?

Acute carotid blowout syndrome (CBS) is the most dreaded complication in an invasive head-and-neck malignancy. The syndrome occurs in 3%–4% of all head-and-neck cancer patients. This report is inquisitive about the effectiveness of preservation of carotid artery during a life-threatening acute carotid blowout in an invasive CBS.

頸動脈破裂の2症例

頸動脈破裂の2症例

Contemporary management of carotid blowout syndrome utilizing endovascular techniques

To illustrate complex interdisciplinary decision making and the utility of modern endovascular techniques in the management of patients with carotid blowout syndrome (CBS). Retrospective chart review. Patients treated with endovascular strategies and/or surgical modalities were included. Control of hemorrhage, neurological, and survival outcomes were studied. Between 2004 and 2014, 33 patients had 38 hemorrhagic events related to head and neck cancer that were managed with endovascular means. Of these, 23 were localized to the external carotid artery (ECA) branches and five localized to the ECA main trunk; nine were related to the common carotid artery (CCA) or internal carotid artery (ICA), and one event was related to the innominate artery. Seven events related to the CCA/ICA or innominate artery were managed with endovascular sacrifice, whereas three cases were managed with a flow-preserving approach (covered stent). Only one patient developed permanent hemiparesis. In two of the three cases where the flow-preserving approach was used, the covered stent eventually became exposed via the overlying soft tissue defect, and definitive management using carotid revascularization or resection was employed to prevent further hemorrhage. In cases of soft tissue necrosis, vascularized tissues were used to cover the great vessels as applicable. The use of modern endovascular approaches for management of acute CBS yields optimal results and should be employed in a coordinated manner by the head and neck surgeon and the neurointerventionalist. 4. Laryngoscope, 2016 127:383-390, 2017.

Carotid blowout syndrome in patients treated by larynx cancer

IntroductionCarotid blowout syndrome is an uncommon complication for patient treated by head and neck tumors, and related to a high mortality rate. ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to study the risk of carotid blowout in a large cohort of patients treated only by larynx cancer. MethodsRetrospective analysis of patients older than 18 years, treated by larynx cancer who developed a carotid blowout syndrome in a tertiary academic centre. Results197 patients met the inclusion criteria, 192 (98.4%) were male and 5 (1.6%) were female. 6 (3%) patients developed a carotid blowout syndrome, 4 patients had a carotid blowout syndrome located in the internal carotid artery and 2 in the common carotid artery. According to the type of rupture, 3 patients suffer a type I, 2 patients a type III and 1 patient a type II. Five of those patients had previously undergone radiotherapy and all patients underwent total laryngectomy. We found a statistical correlation between open surgical procedures (p=0.004) and radiotherapy (p=0.023) and the development of a carotid blowout syndrome. ConclusionCarotid blowout syndrome is an uncommon complication in patients treated by larynx tumours. According to our results, patient underwent radiotherapy and patients treated with open surgical procedures with pharyngeal opening have a major risk to develop this kind of complication.

Carotid blowout syndrome after nasopharyngeal carcinoma radiotherapy: successful treatment by internal carotid artery occlusion after stent implantation failure.

IntroductionCarotid blowout syndrome (CBS) secondary to radiation therapy is life-threatening and requires emergency treatment. More recently, endovascular treatment has provided an effective way to control CBS-related bleeding.Case descriptionWe present a case of CBS with a rupture of the internal carotid artery (ICA) pseudo-aneurysm after Gamma Knife radiation therapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). The patient was a 55-year-old man who was transferred to our hospital with severe repetitive epistaxis. He had a history of NPC and had been treated with Gamma Knife radiation therapy 7 months prior, with a central dose of 32 Gy and marginal dose of 16 Gy. As CBS was confirmed by angiography, and the affected part of the ICA lumen exhibited moderate stenosis, the patient was successfully treated by ICA occlusion after stent implantation failure. The patient died 40 months after this operation from tumor recurrence, but without epistaxis during follow up.Discussion and EvaluationQuick selection of an appropriate treatment method is very important for an acute CBS patient.ConclusionICA occlusion can be directly considered for an acute CBS patient, if the affected ICA exhibits stenosis that is moderate or above.

Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy for Recurrent Head and Neck Cancer.

Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) offers a promising opportunity for cure and/or palliation to patients with recurrent head and neck cancer whose comorbidities, performance status, and history of prior treatment may preclude many other salvage options. Stereotactic body radiation therapy appears to have a favorable response and toxicity profile compared with other nonoperative salvage options for recurrent head and neck cancer. However, the risk of severe toxicity remains, with carotid blowout syndrome a unique concern, although the incidence of this complication may be minimized with alternating-day fractionation. The short overall treatment time and low rates of acute toxicity make SBRT an optimal vehicle to integrate with novel systemic therapies, and several phase II studies have used concurrent cetuximab as a radiosensitizer with SBRT with promising results. Ongoing studies aim to evaluate the potential synergistic effect of SBRT with immune checkpoint inhibitors in recurrent head and neck cancer.

Reirradiation using robotic image-guided stereotactic radiotherapy of recurrent head and neck cancer.

The purpose of this study was to examine the prognosis for patients with head and neck cancer after reirradiation using Cyberknife stereotactic body irradiation with special focus on mucosal ulceration. We conducted a retrospective multi-institutional review of 107 patients with previously irradiated head and neck cancer. The median follow-up time for all patients was 15 months, and the 2-year overall survival rate was 35%. Significant prognostic factors for overall survival were primary site (nasopharynx versus other sites), presence of ulceration, and PTV volume. Detailed analysis of ulceration showed a lower response rate (28%) in the ulceration (+) group than the ulceration (−) group (63%; P = 0.0045). The 2-year overall survival rates were 8% in the ulceration (+) group and 42.7% (P = 0.0001) in the ulceration (−) group, respectively. We recorded 22 severe toxicities, including 11 patients with carotid blow-out syndrome (CBOS), which was fatal in 9 patients. CBOS occurred in 6 patients with ulceration (6/25; 24%), and 5 patients experienced CBOS without ulceration (5/82; 6%; P=0.027). In conclusion, ulceration is an important prognostic factor, not only for adverse events but also for survival after reirradiation using CyberKnife.

A novel approach to the management of carotid blowout syndrome: the use of thrombin in a case of failed covered stenting

Acute hemorrhage relating to an expanding pseudoaneurysm of the carotid artery is referred to as carotid blowout syndrome (CBS). CBS is associated with a high morbidity and mortality. We describe...

A Limited Thoracocervical Approach for Accessing the Anterior Mediastinum in Retrosternal Goiters: Surgical Technique and Implications for the Management of Head and Neck Emergencies

In this article we describe the surgical management of retrosternal goiters via a limited thoracocervical approach, and we explore how the respective surgical know-how can be used in the management of the carotid blowout syndrome. Four cases involving patients who had undergone thyroidectomy via a limited thoracocervical approach are retrospectively reviewed. An acute blowout of the innominate artery managed with the same principal surgical technique is also reviewed. Three patients had a total thyroidectomy and one had a hemithyroidectomy. No malignancy was found. There was no mortality or unexpected morbidity from the limited thoracocervical approach. The median length of the inpatient stay was 3 days. The blowout survivor lived for 9 months, with no rebleeding and with an acceptable quality of life. We conclude that a limited thoracocervical approach can be safely performed by head and neck surgeons for accessing the anterior mediastinum in retrosternal goiters, and the respective surgical know-how can be used in the immediate management of an acute carotid blowout syndrome with satisfying long-term results and provision of quality end-of-life care.

Outcomes of interventions for carotid blowout syndrome in patients with head and neck cancer

The purpose of this study was to examine outcomes of a patient cohort undergoing intervention for carotid blowout syndrome associated with head and neck cancer. Patients with head and neck cancer who presented with carotid distribution bleeding from 2000 to 2014 were identified in the medical record. Primary outcomes were short- and midterm mortality and recurrent bleeding. Standard statistical methods and survival analysis were used to analyze study population characteristics and outcomes. Thirty-seven patients were included in the study. The mean age was 60.1± 11.4years (74% male). All malignancies were squamous cell type, stage IV, in a variety of primary locations: 32% oral cavity, 24% larynx, 16% superficial neck, with the remainder in the oropharynx, nasopharynx, and hypopharynx. Fifty-one percent of bleeds were of common carotid, 29% external carotid, and 19% internal carotid origin. Among the patients, 68% presented with acute hemorrhage, 24% with impending bleed, and 8% with threatened bleed. All patients underwent intervention: 38% received endovascular coil embolization, 30% stent grafts, 22% surgical ligation, and 10% primary vessel repair or bypass grafting. Although major complications were rare, 10.8% of patients had perioperative stroke. Sixteen recurrent bleeding episodes involving 12 arteries occurred in 11 patients (29.73%). Median rebleeding time was 7days (interquartile range, 6-49). Estimated recurrent bleeding risk at 30days and 6months was 24% and 34%, respectively. Of the patients, 91.9% survived to hospital discharge. The 90-day and 1-year estimated survivals were 60.9% and 36.6%, respectively. Carotid blowout syndrome associated with head and neck cancer carries poor mid- and long-term prognoses; however, mortality may be related more to the advanced stage of disease rather than carotid involvement or associated intervention. Both surgical and endovascular approaches may be efficacious in cases of acute hemorrhage but carry a significant risk of periprocedural stroke and recurrent bleeding.

Threatened carotid blowout syndrome: are endovascular covered stents neurologically safe and do they prevent catastrophic haemorrhage?

Threatened carotid blowout syndrome: are endovascular covered stents neurologically safe and do they prevent catastrophic haemorrhage?

Prevention and Treatment of Life-Threatening Bleeding After Thyroid Surgery.

BackgroundFew reports have discussed life-threatening bleeding that occurs postoperatively in patients who have undergone thyroid surgery. In this article, we discuss the causes, treatment measures, and possible ways of preventing this severe complication.Material/MethodsFrom Jan 2002 to Dec 2014 we retrospectively analyzed 7 patients who developed life-threatening bleeding after undergoing thyroid surgery at our center.ResultsAmong the group of 7 patients, there was 1 case of superior thyroid artery hemorrhage (STAH), 5 cases of carotid blowout syndrome (CBS), and 1 case of tracheo-innominate fistula (TIF). The STAH was caused by unreliable ligation. All the cases of CBS and TIF were caused by surgical wound infection. Six patients were transferred to the operating room immediately; open surgical treatment was performed on these 6 patients. Out of these 6 patients, 1 patient did not survive the operation, and hemorrhage was successfully controlled in 3 patients. The remaining 2 patients again experienced bleeding even after undergoing open surgery. Only 1 patient developed long-term neurological complications.ConclusionsInfection is the most common cause of life-threatening bleeding that occurs postoperatively in some patients who have undergone thyroid surgery. Early surgical intervention can save the lives of these patients without causing any severe neurological complications.

Follow-up for covered stent treatment of carotid blow-out syndrome in patients with head and neck cancer.

Carotid blow-out syndrome (CBS) is a life-threatening complication of head and neck cancer (HNC). One of the various methods used for emergency management of CBS is covered stent placement (CSP). Our initial experience in CSP is evaluated and compared with reports in the literature. This study analysed 17 patients with HNC who had received CSP for CBS at Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital from May 2005 to December 2013. The medical records and images for these patients were retrospectively reviewed to evaluate the causes of CBS, treatment success rates and complications. The initial angiography success rate was 100%. Procedural or periprocedural complications were noted in two (12%) cases, both suffering from cerebral vascular accident (CVA). Short-term complications were noted in eight (47%) cases, including four rebleeding cases and four CVA cases. Medium- to long-term complications were noted in nine cases, which included two asymptomatic in-stent thrombosis cases, one symptomatic CVA case, two abscess formation cases and four rebleeding cases. Overall, eight (47%) cases of rebleeding occurred during follow-up. Three of the eight cases were fatal, accounting for 27% of the all-cause mortality. Although CSP is considered effective for achieving haemostasis in patients with HNC with CBS, the medium- to long-term outcomes are unfavourable owing to high risks of rebleeding, CVA and other complications. Therefore, CSP should be considered a temporary life-saving technique rather than a definitive treatment. Analysis of the relatively large series of patients with HNC in this study suggests that CSP is a useful temporary treatment for CBS.

Endovascular Management of Post-Irradiated Carotid Blowout Syndrome.

PurposeTo retrospectively evaluate the clinical and technical factors related to the outcomes of endovascular management in patients with head-and-neck cancers associated with post-irradiated carotid blowout syndrome (PCBS).Materials and MethodsBetween 2000 and 2013, 96 patients with PCBS underwent endovascular management. The 40 patients with the pathological lesions located in the external carotid artery were classified as group 1 and were treated with embolization. The other 56 patients with the pathological lesions located in the trunk of the carotid artery were divided into 2 groups as follows: group 2A comprised the 38 patients treated with embolization, and group 2B comprised the 18 patients treated with stent-graft placement. Fisher’s exact test was used to examine endovascular methods, clinical severities, and postprocedural clinical diseases as predictors of outcomes.ResultsTechnical success and immediate hemostasis were achieved in all patients. The results according to endovascular methods (group 1 vs 2A vs 2B) were as follows: technical complication (1/40[2.5%] vs 9/38[23.7%] vs 9/18[50.0%], P = 0.0001); rebleeding (14/40[35.0%] vs 5/38[13.2%] vs 7/18[38.9%]), P = 0.0435). The results according to clinical severity (acute vs ongoing PCBS) were as follows: technical complication (15/47[31.9%] vs 4/49[8.2%], P = 0.0035); rebleeding (18/47[38.3%] vs 8/49[16.3%], P = 0.0155). The results according to post-procedural clinical disease (regressive vs progressive change) were as follows: alive (14/21[66.7%] vs 8/75[10.7%], P<0.0001); survival time (34.1±30.6[0.3–110] vs 3.6±4.0[0.07–22] months, P<0.0001).ConclusionThe outcomes of endovascular management of PCBS can be improved by taking embolization as a prior way of treatment, performing endovascular intervention in slight clinical severity and aggressive management of the post-procedural clinical disease.

Fatal carotid blowout syndrome after BNCT for head and neck cancers

Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is high linear energy transfer (LET) radiation and tumor-selective radiation that does not cause serious damage to the surrounding normal tissues. BNCT might be effective and safe in patients with inoperable, locally advanced head and neck cancers, even those that recur at previously irradiated sites. However, carotid blowout syndrome (CBS) is a lethal complication resulting from malignant invasion of the carotid artery (CA); thus, the risk of CBS should be carefully assessed in patients with risk factors for CBS after BNCT. Thirty-three patients in our institution who underwent BNCT were analyzed. Two patients developed CBS and experienced widespread skin invasion and recurrence close to the carotid artery after irradiation. Careful attention should be paid to the occurrence of CBS if the tumor is located adjacent to the carotid artery. The presence of skin invasion from recurrent lesions after irradiation is an ominous sign of CBS onset and lethal consequences.