[Giant traumatic aneurysms of the internal carotid developing in the sphenoid sinus. Apropos of 2 cases]

Two cases of traumatic aneurysms of the internal carotid artery developed into the sphenoidal sinus are reported by the authors. It is a very rare pathology (about fifteen cases are reported in the literature). Recurrent epistaxis are the most frequent symptom associated or not with a sphenoidal sinus syndrome. Our first observation corresponds to this description but the second suggests a tumour of the sphenoidal base. The diagnosis is performed by carotid angiography. The treatment consists of the exclusion of the aneurysm by ligating the cervical internal carotid artery or by trapping the aneurysmal segment. This treatment has produced a good result in nine cases of the literature and in our two cases. The direct approach of the aneurysm is very difficult, but the endovascular techniques can be performed in the future.