Laryngeal Complications of Percutaneous Cerebral Angiography Continued Observations

Abstract

Through a systematic laryngological examination of 54 patients undergoing percutaneous carotid angiography, 5 patients presented laryngeal oedemas of varied size and spread on the same side. In another 5 patients both oedema and suggilations of the larynx were found, extending in the cranial direction to the pharynx and the rhinopharynx. The cause and pathogenesis of the laryngeal oedema are discussed and it is concluded that the oedema is produced by the development and dissection of deep neck haematomas which give rise to localized congestion. Furthermore factors which might influence the formation of haematomas during and after puncture have been studied. Hereby it was found that the number of attempts to puncture might exert an influence, however, this is not the sole explanation of the development of the haematoma.

From a study of 20 patients undergoing vertebral or coronary angiography via a catheter inserted from the axillary or the femoral arteries, no laryngeal complications were disclosed.