The pathophysiology of nasopharyngeal hematoma as a complication of MOE may involve direct infection-mediated and inflammatory-induced erosion of arterial walls. Though rare, nasopharyngeal hematomas should be considered in MOE patients with unexplained nasopharyngeal masses. These hematomas, especially when associated with luminal ICA irregularities, may represent a sentinel finding preceding the eventual formation of a carotid pseudoaneurysm. Thus, the presence of nasopharyngeal hematomas warrants vigilant surveillance, with escalation to urgent endovascular intervention in the event of vascular instability.
Chen et al. (Mon,) studied this question.