Open Repair of a Post-traumatic Pseudo-aneurysm of the Common Carotid Artery that Presented with Carotid Sinus Syndrome: A Case Report

Abstract A 59-year-old male presenting with neck swelling, pulsatile mass and airway compromise was transported to the emergency centre. He had a very recent history of stab wound in the anterior right neck region. Physical examination revealed his blood pressure was 65/30 mmHg while heart rate ranged from 60 to 70 beats/min, demonstrating a possibility of post-traumatic pseudo-aneurysm of the carotid artery and a potential carotid sinus syndrome. Computed tomography angiogram (CTA) confirmed a pseudo-aneurysm measuring 7.5 × 8.0 × 5.0 cm at the distal right common carotid artery (CCA). Open surgery was performed to manage this devastating pseudo-aneurysm. Shortly after surgery, the blood pressure of the patient was restored to normal level. His postoperative recovery was uneventful. To our knowledge, this is the first case of CCA pseudo-aneurysm with carotid sinus syndrome reported. Our report also suggests that a standard investigative work-up of patients with a stab wound in the carotid region be followed to reduce the occurrence of this life-threatening situation.