PURPOSE: To examine all complications of endovascular procedures on the external carotid arteries and to ascertain how to reduce their number. METHODS: In 93 consecutive patients, 137 endovascular procedures on the external carotid arteries were performed during the last 6 years. RESULTS: We encountered no neurologic complications in these patients. In eight (9%) of the 93 patients who underwent lidocaine tests of the external carotid branches, nine transient cranial nerve palsies occured, seven of 67 vessels (10%) involving the middle meningeal artery and two of 18 vessels (11%) the ascending pharyngeal artery. However, they soon disappeared and successful embolisations were achieved. Vasospasm that prevented endovascular procedures occurred in only two cases of this series as a result of the application of isosorbide dinitrate. CONCLUSIONS: The lidocaine test effectively provoked cranial nerve palsies without false negatives. The complication rate of endovascular surgery will decrease as long as awareness of complications such as cranial nerve palsy is maintained.
PURPOSE: To examine all complications of endovascular procedures on the external carotid arteries and to ascertain how to reduce their number. METHODS: In 93 consecutive patients, 137 endovascular procedures on the external carotid arteries were performed during the last 6 years. RESULTS: We encountered no neurologic complications in these patients. In eight (9%) of the 93 patients who underwent lidocaine tests of the external carotid branches, nine transient cranial nerve palsies occured, seven of 67 vessels (10%) involving the middle meningeal artery and two of 18 vessels (11%) the ascending pharyngeal artery. However, they soon disappeared and successful embolisations were achieved. Vasospasm that prevented endovascular procedures occurred in only two cases of this series as a result of the application of isosorbide dinitrate. CONCLUSIONS: The lidocaine test effectively provoked cranial nerve palsies without false negatives. The complication rate of endovascular surgery will decrease as long as awareness of complications such as cranial nerve palsy is maintained.