Damages to the carotid arteries caused either by blunt force or penetrating trauma, such as craniocerebral trauma; thoracic injuries; and neck injuries. Damaged carotid arteries can lead to carotid artery thrombosis; carotid-cavernous sinus fistula; pseudoaneurysm formation; and INTERNAL CAROTID ARTERY dissection. (From Am J Forensic Med Pathol 1997, 18:251; J Trauma 1994, 37:473)