Traumatic Carotid-Jugular Av Fistula in a Child

Traumatic Arteriovenous fistulae of the neck vessels are a rare condition, comprising less than 4% of traumatic fistulae found anywhere else in the body.

The authors propose to report a clinical case of such a condition in a 10-year-old boy who sustained a gunshot wound in the left side of the neck.

Shortly after the event, the patient was admitted to paediatric ICU and intubated for airway protection. A palpable thrill in the left side of the neck was noticed, giving rise to the need of imaging study. A communication between the left common carotid artery and the internal jugular vein was confimed by AngioCT. No signs of cerebral hypoperfusion or cardiac overload were present. The surgical correction was performed by direct suture repair of both vessels involved. No complications on the postoperative period. During follow up, antiagregation with acetilsalicilic acid for 1 month was prescribed and no complications occured.

The patient lives a normal life with no limitations.