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Sexual asphyxia causing blunt carotid artery injury and Horner's syndrome

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 September 2012

A Muddaiah ,
A Banigo ,
F Galli  and
M A Latif
A Muddaiah
Affiliation:
ENT Department, St Helens and Knowsley NHS Trust, St Helens, UK
A Banigo*
Affiliation:
ENT Department, St Helens and Knowsley NHS Trust, St Helens, UK
F Galli
Affiliation:
ENT Department, St Helens and Knowsley NHS Trust, St Helens, UK
M A Latif
Affiliation:
ENT Department, Kettering General Hospital, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Mr A Banigo, Senior House Officer, ENT Department, St Helens and Knowsley NHS Trust, St Helens L35 5DR, UK Fax: +44 (0)1744 646 331 E-mail: a.banigo@doctors.org.uk
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Abstract

Objective:

To highlight a rare cause of Horner's syndrome, and to review the management of blunt carotid artery injury.

Method:

Literature search via PubMed for related articles.

Results:

Horner's syndrome and blunt carotid artery injury are rare phenomena; sexual asphyxia as a cause has not previously been reported. This case is also the first of its kind to have radiological evidence of injury to the external carotid artery but not the internal carotid artery. In Horner's syndrome, additional symptoms of ipsilateral headache or neck pain, tinnitus, or any cerebral ischaemic symptoms should raise suspicion of blunt carotid injury.

Conclusion:

Blunt carotid artery injury is a potentially fatal condition and can present without radiological evidence. Early recognition and management with anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs is crucial to prevent mortality and morbidity.

Keywords

AsphyxiaSexual BehaviourSexual MasochismCarotid ArteryTraumaHorner's Syndrome
Type
Clinical Records
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 126 , Issue 12 , December 2012 , pp. 1292 - 1295
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2012

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