Mycotic pseudoaneurysm of the extracranial carotid artery, a severe and rare disease, a case report

BACKGROUND: Mycotic pseudoaneurysm of the carotid artery is a severe and rare disease. When it ruptures, it can produce severe morbidity and high mortality. It presents clinically as a pulsatile mass, usually diagnosable by computed tomography angiography with definitive confirmation achieved by establishing the presence of the pathogen in the tissue sample. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of a 68-year-old male patient with a history of total laryngectomy. He presented with painful and pulsatile mass in his neck and, after precise evaluation, a ruptured carotid mycotic pseudoaneurysm was promptly detected and treated. After a surgical intervention and an adequate course of antibiotics, the patient successfully recovered. CONCLUSIONS: Mycotic pseudoaneurysms of the extracranial carotid artery are uncommon and should always be surgically treated. Due to the high risk of potential complications, restoration of the arterial flow should be attempted in all occasions. High clinical awareness is imperative when approaching a mycotic pseudoaneurysm due to its wide spectrum of clinical symptoms, and must always be considered when diagnosing tumors of the neck. Despite its rarity, early detection and prompt treatment are critical to minimize the possibility of a fatal outcome.