Common carotid artery pseudoaneurysm secondary to erosion by an oesophageal stent: a case report

Case presentationA 59-year-old woman had inoperable carcinoma of the upper oesophagus and had undergone chemoradiotherapy and immunotherapy.A covered oesophageal stent (Niti-S, 20 mm in diameter, 80 mm in length; Taewoong Medical, South Korea) was inserted in August 2021 to manage a tracheoesophageal fistula.The proximal end of the stent was located just distal to the cricopharyngeal constriction.Five months after stent placement, the patient developed erosions at the proximal and distal ends of the stent into the trachea and bronchi, respectively.A covered tracheal stent (AERO, 18 mm in diameter, 40 mm in length; Merit Medical, South Jordan [UT], US) and a distal extension with a covered oesophageal stent (Niti-S) were inserted on two separate occasions.The patient presented to the emergency department 7 months after initial oesophageal stent insertion with haemoptysis.Her haemoglobin level had fallen to 6.3 g/dL and she developed hypotension and desaturation requiring intubation and admission to the intensive care unit.Upper endoscopy revealed blood clots over the proximal part of the oesophagus