External-internal carotid artery transposition for repair of multiple pseudoaneurysms from penetrating injury in a pediatric patient

A 13-year-old boy was transferred to our trauma center after sustaining a shotgun wound to his neck and head. Workup revealed an injury to his tonsillar fossa, a pseudoaneurysm less than 4 mm in his internal carotid artery, and diffuse cerebral edema. After management of his intracranial hypertension, follow-up angiogram revealed 4 pseudoaneurysms in his internal carotid artery. In the operating room, the affected segment was resected, and a transposition of the external carotid artery to the internal carotid artery was performed. Workup of penetrating neck trauma and management options for internal carotid artery pseudoaneurysms in a pediatric patient are discussed.