Airway obstruction following internal jugular vein cannulation

Abstract

A patient developed neck swelling following removal of an internal jugular vein cannula. Although tracheal extubation was delayed, severe airway obstruction occurred resulting in a cardiac arrest. He was successfully resuscitated. Doppler ultrasonography revealed a huge cervical haematoma surrounding a carotid artery pseudoaneurysm. The carotid artery pseudoaneurysm was obliterated using radiological intervention.