False aneurysm of the maxillary artery. An unusual complication of closed facial trauma.

False arterial aneurysms are most frequently a late complication of penetrating injuries. They can also occur following diagnostic or therapeutic arterial puncture and following surgery. Infrequently, blunt trauma and fractures may be associated with false aneurysm formation. A case of a false aneurysm of the maxillary artery is reported. The aneurysm appeared four weeks after closed facial injuries, including a Le Fort II fracture and mandibular fractures. The lesion was successfully treated by ligation of the distal branches of the external carotid artery with transantral clipping of the maxillary artery distal to the aneurysm.