Delayed rupture of common carotid artery following rugby tackle injury: a case report

Nainoor Thakore¹ , Saleh Abbas¹ and Peter Vanniasingham²

¹Department of Surgery, Middlemore Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand

²Department of Vascular Surgery, Middlemore Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand

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World Journal of Emergency Surgery 2008, 3:14doi:10.1186/1749-7922-3-14


Published:	21 March 2008

Abstract

Background

Common Carotid Artery (CCA) is an uncommon site of injury following a blunt trauma, its presentation with spontaneous delayed rupture is even more uncommon and a rugby tackle leading to CCA injury is a rare event. What makes this case unique and very rare is combination of all of the above.

Case presentation

Mr H. presented to the Emergency Department with an expanding neck haematoma and shortness of breath. He was promptly intubated and had contrast CT angiography of neck vessels which localized the bleeding spot on posteromedial aspect of his Right CCA. He underwent emergency surgery with repair of the defect and made an uneventful recovery post operatively.

Conclusion

Delayed post traumatic rupture of the CCA is an uncommon yet potentially life threatening condition which can be caused by unusual blunt injury mechanism. A high index of suspicion and low threshold for investigating carotid injuries in the setting of blunt trauma is likely to be beneficial.