carotid space trauma

A radiologic

review of hoarse voice from anatomic and neurologic perspectives. Carotid space trauma. A 33-year-old woman who sustained a stab wound to the neck, subsequently noted to have a weak voice; laryngoscopy confirmed vocal cord paralysis. Axial CTA of the neck (a) reveals a radiopaque marker at the entry site (white arrow); air is seen within the deep soft tissues anterior to the left carotid sheath contents (white arrowhead), indicating violation of the left carotid space. 3D-volume-rendered CTA image (b) of the left carotid artery shows irregular caliber and focal outpouching of the distal left common carotid artery (black arrowheads), representing pseudoaneurysm. Findings are consistent with left vocal cord paralysis due to vagal nerve injury