Isolated blunt trauma of the common carotid artery.

We present the case of an isolated rupture of the common carotid after a non-penetrating trauma of the neck. The patient was diagnosed by auscultation, ultrasound examination and arteriography and subsequently operated. A carotid segment was resected and reconstructed by an interposed vascular graft. We comment on the mechanisms of carotid artery blunt trauma, diagnostic methods and surgical options in this uncommon situation.