@article{ref1,
title="A rare and lethal case of right common carotid pseudoaneurysm following whiplash trauma",
journal="Forensic science, medicine, and pathology",
year="2014",
author="Pomara, Cristoforo and Bello, Stefania and Serinelli, Serenella and Fineschi, Vittorio",
volume="11",
number="1",
pages="69-73",
abstract="Whiplash trauma from a car crash is one of the most common causes of neck injury, resulting in pain and dysfunction. We report on an unusual case of post-whiplash pseudoaneurysm of the right common carotid artery, which led to acute massive hemorrhage and death days after the initial trauma. A post-mortem computed tomography angiography showed rupture of the pseudoaneurysm of the right common carotid artery with the contrast agent leaking out into the mouth. The subsequent autopsy confirmed a large hemorrhagic clot extending to the right side of the neck and mediastinum. A rupture of the right wall of the oropharynx was identified with massive bronchial hemoaspiration. The case demonstrates a rare but lethal clinical entity, and is important in providing a better understanding of the potentially fatal consequences of minor trauma, such as whiplash injury, and its physiopathological mechanisms. Thus, changing symptoms after a whiplash injury should be carefully evaluated since they can be related to the underlying severe consequences of a rapid hyperextension-hyperflexion of the neck, as in the reported case.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1547-769X",
doi="10.1007/s12024-014-9629-5",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12024-014-9629-5"
}