Internal carotid false aneurysm after thermocoagulation of the gasserian ganglion.

OBJECTIVE

To identify petrous internal carotid bleeding aneurysm as a complication of gasserian ganglion thermocoagulation.

PATIENTS: A single case presenting with epistaxis and otorrhagia 1 month after gasserian ganglion thermocoagulation in the treatment of refractory trigeminal neuralgia.

INTERVENTION(S): Gasserian ganglion thermocoagulation, computed tomographic scan, and angiocomputed tomographic scan revealing petrous internal carotid ruptured aneurysm and internal carotid embolization.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Radiologic diagnosis of the vascular injury after gasserian ganglion thermocoagulation.

RESULTS

Radiologic identification of ruptured internal carotid artery as the cause of simultaneous epistaxis and otorrhagia.

CONCLUSION

Gasserian ganglion thermocoagulation may cause aneurysm and rupture of the petrous portion of the internal carotid artery.