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The objective of this study was to investigate and to compare the early and long-term results of open surgery with endovascular intervention in the treatment of extracranial carotid artery aneurysms (ECCAs).A retrospective review of patients diagnosed with ECCAs who underwent open surgical or endovascular treatment from 1997 to 2017 was performed. Clinical characteristics, aneurysm profile, and treatment outcomes were recorded. Early results (30 days) were evaluated in terms of mortality, perioperative stroke or transient ischemic attack, and cranial nerve injury. Late results were analyzed in terms of both overall and stroke-free survival and freedom from reinterventions.A total of 48 patients with ECCAs including 34 (70.8%) true aneurysms and 14 (29.2%) pseudoaneurysms were treated. The median age was 51 years, and 19 patients (39.6%) were men; 41 patients (85.4%) had symptoms, whereas 7 (14.6%) were asymptomatic. Among 48 patients, 32 patients (66.7%) underwent open surgery; endovascular repair was performed on 16 patients (33.3%). The 30-day stroke or transient ischemic attack rate was not significantly different between the open group (6.3% [2/32]) and the endovascular group (0% [0/16]; P = .307). Cranial nerve injuries occurred in eight patients in the open group (25%) and in no patient in the endovascular group (0%; P = .029). Median length of stay was significantly longer in the open group than in the endovascular group (20 vs 14 days, respectively; P = .013). Median follow-up was 46 months (range, 0-20 years), and no aneurysm-related death occurred during this period. Overall survival rates at 5 years were 88.7% (standard error [SE], 0.08) in the open group and 91.7% (SE, 0.08) in the endovascular group (P = .319; log-rank, .992). For the same time interval, stroke-free survival rates were 85.2% (SE, 0.10) in the open group and 92.2% (SE, 0.07) in the endovascular group (P = .653; log-rank, .201). One patient (1/28 [3.6%]) in the open group and two patients (2/16 [12.5%]) in the endovascular group underwent endovascular reinterventions because of restenosis during the follow-up period. Reintervention-free survival rates were 90.9% in the open group (SE, 0.09) and 69.2% in the endovascular group (SE, 0.21; P = .082; log-rank, 3.016).In this single-institutional experience, both operative and endovascular interventions for ECCAs provided acceptable early and 5-year results. The endovascular approach had significantly less cranial nerve injury and shorter length of hospital stay.

The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and effectiveness of endovascular stenting for extracranial carotid artery aneurysms (ECAAs) and evaluate the mid-term outcomes. Twelve consecutive symptomatic patients (mean age 43.8 ± 14.9 years; 8 men) with ECAAs who were treated with endovascular stenting between 1997 and 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical follow-up data including symptoms and neurological events were obtained from outpatient records. Imaging follow-up with duplex ultrasound and/or computed tomographic angiography (CTA) was performed to examine the aneurysm obliteration and patency of the stents at 3, 6, 12 months and yearly thereafter. A total of 5 true aneurysms and 7 pseudoaneurysms were included in our series. Neurological symptoms (n = 5, 41.7%) and a pulsatile neck mass (n = 5, 41.7%) were the most common presenting symptoms. Endovascular stenting procedures were technically successful in all cases; 3 patients received bare stents, and 9 patients received covered stents. No perioperative neurologic or cardiopulmonary complications occurred. Over a period of follow-ups (mean 21.8 ± 25.1 months), all patients were alive and free from neurological or other adverse events. All aneurysms were completely excluded except for 1 patient who was exposed to a residual medium leaking into the aneurysm sac. No reintervention was performed in this specific patient because aneurysm growth or significant clinical symptoms did not occur. Recurrent restenosis assessed by CTA imaging at 12 months occurred in 1 (8.3%) patient in our series. Target lesion revascularization for this hemodynamic restenosis was treated with placement of an additional stent. In our series, endovascular stenting for ECAAs was found to be safe, effective, and proved to have promising mid-term results. Although long-term results need to be further explored, advantages including less procedure-related complications and a shorter recovery time make endovascular stenting an attractive option for ECAAs, especially for the patients who are unfit for traditional open surgery.