Pseudoaneurysm of the Common Carotid Artery in an Infant due to Swallowed Fish Bone

Area of Science:

• Vascular Surgery
• Pediatric Case Reports
• Medical Case Studies

Background:

• Carotid artery pseudoaneurysms are uncommon, especially in children.
• Fewer than 30 infant carotid artery aneurysms have been documented.
• Foreign body ingestion, like fish bones, can lead to vascular complications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a unique case of a giant carotid artery pseudoaneurysm in a pediatric patient.
• To describe the etiology, presentation, and successful management of this rare condition.
• To contribute to the literature on pediatric vascular emergencies.

Main Methods:

• Surgical resection of the pseudoaneurysm.
• End-to-end anastomosis for arterial repair.
• Clinical and imaging follow-up for one year.

Main Results:

• A 5.5 cm transverse-diameter giant pseudoaneurysm of the left common carotid artery was identified.
• The patient experienced severe respiratory distress due to the pseudoaneurysm.
• Successful surgical treatment resulted in a satisfactory outcome at one-year follow-up.

Conclusions:

• Giant carotid artery pseudoaneurysms in children are exceedingly rare but can be life-threatening.
• Surgical intervention, including resection and anastomosis, can be effective.
• This case highlights the largest pediatric carotid artery pseudoaneurysm reported to date.