Profuse bleeding from a pseudoaneurysm of the right superior thyroid artery after tracheostomy.

Case: A 70-year-old man was brought to our hospital emergency department with accidental thermal burns. Surgical tracheostomy was carried out on day 8 after admission, followed by several profuse bleeding episodes from the orifice. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the neck revealed a small nodule with arterial phase enhancement that was suspected to be a pseudoaneurysm. During emergency angiography, the nodule was revealed to be a pseudoaneurysm arising from the right superior thyroid artery with contrast medium extravasation. Outcome: The patient underwent transcatheter arterial embolization, which resolved bleeding from the tracheostomy orifice.
Conclusion: Pseudoaneurysm of the superior thyroid artery is an extremely rare and life-threatening tracheostomy complication. All clinicians certified to perform tracheostomy should be acquainted with the various complications and methods for managing life-threatening post-tracheostomy complications.