# Emergency Management of a Spontaneous Rupture of the Superior Thyroid Artery via Pharyngeal Foley Balloon Tamponade: A Case Report

## TL;DR

A rare case of spontaneous rupture of the superior thyroid artery was successfully managed using a pharyngeal Foley balloon tamponade, avoiding surgery.

## Contribution

This case report introduces pharyngeal Foley balloon tamponade as a novel, minimally invasive treatment for spontaneous superior thyroid artery rupture.

## Key findings

- A 27-year-old male with spontaneous superior thyroid artery rupture was treated successfully with a pharyngeal Foley balloon tamponade.
- The patient remained symptom-free at six-month follow-up, indicating long-term efficacy of the intervention.
- The case emphasizes the potential of this technique as a first-line and definitive treatment option.

## Abstract

Spontaneous rupture of the superior thyroid artery (STA) is a very rare cause of oropharyngeal hemorrhage and airway emergency. The majority of cases occur secondary to aneurysm, trauma, post-surgical complications, or iatrogenic causes.

In this report, we present the case of a 27-year-old, previously healthy male who arrived with sudden-onset neck swelling, stridor, and massive oropharyngeal bleeding. On arrival, the airway was immediately secured through suction-assisted endotracheal intubation. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) revealed active extravasation from the STA, without evidence of aneurysm. Hemostasis was achieved by inserting a pharyngeal Foley balloon tamponade as a minimally invasive intervention, avoiding the need for surgical ligation or endovascular embolization. The patient recovered without complications and remained symptom-free at six-month follow-up.

This case highlights the rarity of spontaneous STA rupture and emphasizes the potential effectiveness of pharyngeal Foley balloon tamponade as a minimally invasive technique, which can serve both as an immediate first-line intervention and as definitive management, providing safe and sustained long-term outcomes. This underscores the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration in the diagnosis and management of such challenging cases.