Background: Aneurysms of the external carotid artery and its branches are rare.
Methods: We present an extremely rare case of pseudoaneurysm of the lingual artery secondary to concurrent intra-arterial chemotherapy via the superficial temporal artery for advanced tongue cancer.
Results: The patient developed sudden and significant oral bleeding from the left tongue base 10 weeks after the completion of treatment. Angiography provided a diagnosis of pseudoaneurysm of the lingual artery, and subsequent endovascular intervention was an effective means of controlling bleeding.
Conclusion: Rupture of a pseudoaneurysm causes massive, life-threatening bleeding, which requires adequate diagnosis and treatment. Pseudoaneurysm should be considered in cases showing sudden oral bleeding after intra-arterial chemotherapy for advanced head and neck cancer.
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