2013 Volume 137 Pages 138-139
The extracranial carotid artery pseudoaneurysm is a rare vascular lesion. We report herein on such a case caused by bacterial infection. A 70-year-old man presented with a 2-week history of left-sided painful cervical swelling. Enhanced CT and ultrasonography examinations revealed a low density and hypoechoic lesion with ring enhancement surrounding the left carotid artery bifurcation. A deep neck abscess was suspected, and the patient received antimicrobial chemotherapy. The mass decreased in size, but did not disappear. Ultrasonography was then performed again, and a blood stream flowing into the mass was identified. Considering the results of serological tests and other imaging findings, the lesion was finally diagnosed as an extracranial carotid artery pseudoaneurysm. The patient underwent carotid artery stenting, and is currently free from disease 7 months after treatment. The clinical characteristics, diagnosis and management of carotid artery pseudoaneurysm were bibliographically reviewed.
