Repair of extra-cranial internal carotid artery aneurysm with application of modified carotid shunt: a case report

Aneurysms of the extracranial internal carotid artery (ICA) are uncommon. These lesions usually present with symptoms of transient ischemic attacks (TIA) from emboli and cranial nerve dysfunction from compression. The primary objective of treatment is to prevent a permanent neurologic deficit arising as a result of atheroembolism. The resection of an ICA aneurysm with restoration of flow is the preferred method of treatment. The authors present the case of a 32-year-old woman diagnosed with an ICA aneurysm. The patient underwent aneurysmectomy using an autologous saphenous vein graft with ICA blood flow being maintained using a carotid-to-carotid shunt, which was modifiedfrom an intravenous catheter set. This modified carotid shunt is easy to prepare for use and is of low cost. The authors do not expect this shunt to represent the standard commercially available shunt; but in some institutes, where commercial shunts are not available, this shunt may be suitably used.