Endovascular management of a sphenopalatine artery pseudoaneurysm: a rare cause of delayed intractable epistaxis following endoscopic transsphenoidal pituitary surgery

Abstract

Vascular injuries during pituitary surgery are feared as they can lead to serious disability and can be life threatening. We are describing a case of severe intractable epistaxis following endoscopic transnasal transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary tumour due to a sphenopalatine artery pseudoaneurysm which was successfully managed using endovascular embolisation techniques. Very few cases of sphenopalatine artery pseudoaneurysm following endoscopic nasal surgery have been described. A middle aged male patient with a pituitary macroadenoma underwent endoscopic transsphenoidal pituitary surgery and returned to us after 3 days of discharge with severe epistaxis. Digital subtraction angiography showed contrast leakage and left sphenopalatine artery pseudoaneurysm. Glue embolisation of the distal sphenopalatine branches and pseudoaneurysm was done. Good occlusion of pseudoaneurysm was seen. Such a diagnosis for epistaxis following endoscopic transnasal surgery should be borne in mind, so prompt treatment can be planned to avoid life threatening complications.