Traumatic superior thyroid artery pseudoaneurysm treated with transarterial embolization

Traumatic aneurysms or pseudoaneurysms of the thyroid artery are rare but potentially life-threatening conditions. We report a case of a 61-year-old man who visited the emergency department due to left side neck hematoma and respiratory distress after blunt neck trauma. Endotracheal intubation was performed to secure the airway and avoid tracheostomy. A computed tomography scan of the neck with active contrast extravasation revealed a pseudoaneurysm over the left neck and tracheal deviation to the right side. Emergency angiography with embolization of the superior thyroid artery pseudoaneurysm was performed. We discuss the rarity of this condition, the etiologies of pseudoaneurysms of the thyroid arteries, and treatment options. In addition, we report that trans-arterial embolization (TAE) is a viable alternative to surgical intervention for managing pseudoaneurysms of the thyroid arteries.