Ruptured aneurysm of the inferior thyroid artery: repair with coil embolization

Although pseudoaneurysm of the thyrocervical trunk is seen with increasing frequency as a result of trauma or central venous cannulation, true aneurysm of the thyrocervical trunk is exceedingly rare. A 44-year-old woman presented with acute left neck swelling that progressed rapidly to respiratory distress and subsequent hemothorax. Emergency endotracheal intubation was performed for airway control, and tube thoracostomy was placed for drainage of the pleural space. A review of the literature reveals that this is the second patient known to be successfully treated by arterial embolization of a ruptured aneurysm of the inferior thyroid artery and the fifteenth known case of aneurysm of the inferior thyroid artery. Surgical or endovascular intervention has been successful. Observation has been uniformly fatal. Because life-threatening rupture is possible, the presence of this aneurysm mandates intervention. Endovascular coil embolization is a viable option for treatment of this entity.