Pseudoaneurysm of the Carotid Artery: Severe Complication after Carotid Endarterectomy

pp 481-483

Abstract

Infection after endarterectomy with carotid pseudoaneurysm formation is uncommon, but shows a high mortality rate. This report describes the case of a patient with a history of ischemic stroke and left carotid endarterectomy. The patient presented with fever syndrome and signs of inflammation at the surgical site of the left endarterectomy. Carotid artery ultrasound and digital subtraction angiography revealed the presence of a left carotid pseudoaneurysm. Once diagnosed, the patient was placed on antibiotics; heunderwent toilet of the wound; the patch graft with breakdown of suture line was removed, and a common carotidto internal carotid bypass graft was performed using the  reversed saphenous vein technique. The patient recovered without complications and was discharged after a 4-week course of antibiotics.