This is a very unfortunate case of a 67 year old male who presented to ER with massive bleeding. The patient had a history of advanced head and neck cancer. The cancer had progressed despite surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. His cancer had eroded through the external carotid artery causing massive bleeding.

The bleeding was “controlled” with local pressure. In the angiography suite he was found to have significant extravasation (bleeding) from the external carotid artery. The radiologist was able to embolize the bleeding vessel. The arrow on the image above indicates the embolization coil used to stop the bleeding.

The alternative plan was to embolize the entire carotid artery, causing the patient a massive stroke, yet saving his life.

The patient was discharged to Hospice.