Brain abscesses following carotid blowout syndrome: a case report
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Updated: Oct 2, 2026

Permanent Cerebral Vessel Occlusion via Double Ligature and Transection
Published on: July 21, 2013
Daniel A Brenner1, Daniel J Valdivia1, Elizabeth E Ginalis2
1Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.
Abstract:
We report a case of intracranial abscesses development in a patient with head and neck cancer after emergent treatment of carotid blowout syndrome with coil embolization. Our patient is a 60-year-old male who presented with hemoptysis and hematemesis, which raised concerns for impending carotid blowout syndrome. Endovascular occlusion was successfully achieved, and the patient was discharged in stable condition. Ten days later, the patient reported headaches and right facial pain, and magnetic resonance imaging revealed multiple intracranial abscesses. Broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics were administered, leading to a variable response with some abscesses decreasing in size and others increasing. Seven weeks from discharge, the patient had no neurological deficits, and all abscesses had decreased in size.
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