Staphylococcus hominis carotid artery infection with septic embolization

We present the case report of a Staphylococcus hominis carotid artery plaque infection, without mycotic aneurysm formation, that provided the nidus for septic embolization. The patient presented with transient neurologic symptoms, with no clinical signs or symptoms of sepsis. Multiple preoperative imaging modalities revealed critical carotid stenosis but no indication of an infection. Secondary carotid infection was discovered incidentally intraoperatively, and carotid reconstruction was completed with autogenous tissue. The patient transiently manifested sepsis only after the carotid reconstruction and recovered with the institution of parenteral antibiotics.