Mycotic Pseudoaneurysm of the Internal Carotid Artery After a 'Common Cold': A Rare Case Report.
Predrag Matić, Enes Ljatifi, Igor Atanasijević et al.
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
Case in brief
A 78-year-old man presented with hoarseness and a suddenly appearing pulsatile neck mass, three weeks after an untreated upper respiratory tract infection. Contrast CT showed a left internal carotid artery pseudoaneurysm compressing the laryngeal wall. The lesion was surgically excised, and blood flow was restored with an interposition saphenous vein graft. Microbiological testing identified Pseudomonas oryzihabitans infection.
What made this case unusual
The report identifies Pseudomonas oryzihabitans as the causative organism, which the authors describe as the first reported case of this bacterium causing an extracranial internal carotid artery mycotic pseudoaneurysm.
Diagnostic / clinical pearl
A new pulsatile neck mass with hoarseness after a recent respiratory infection may reflect an infected carotid pseudoaneurysm; contrast CT can identify the lesion and its compressive effect.