Abstract
•Pseudoaneurysm formation following cerebrovascular blunt trauma is a rarely experienced complication with an incidence rate of less than 1 %.•In craniofacial trauma, pseudoaneurysm formation is not apparent on physical examination due to its deep location and usually presents as persistent nasal bleeding.•A low threshold for diagnosing and treating such entities is essential for controlling the hemorrhage and preventing morbidity and mortality.•Endovascular embolization provides immediate blood control should be included as a primary treatment option or as an adjunct to the surgical approach.
Facial fractures, specifically orbitozygomatic and zygomaticomaxillary complex fractures, are well-documented and common injuries. Pseudoaneurysm formation following cerebrovascular blunt trauma is a rarely experienced complication with an incidence rate of less than 1% with only a few cases reported in the literature. Traumatic pseudoaneurysm formation of the sphenopalatine artery (SPA), the deepest branch of the maxillary artery, is extremely rare due to the deep location of the SPA and its protection from bony landmarks. In craniofacial trauma, pseudoaneurysm formation is not apparent on physical examination due to its deep location and usually presents as persistent nasal bleeding. SPA pseudoaneurysms can present as complications of surgical osteotomies, endoscopic sinus surgeries, facial trauma, or even as a progression of nasopharyngeal cancer. Endovascular embolization provides, safe, quick, and effective treatment while minimizing the morbidity of extensive surgical exposure. In this case report we describe a sphenopalatine artery pseudoaneurysm formation post trauma to provide insight to these rare entities and highlight the importance of early detection and treatment.