Imaging and Intervention in Internal Carotid Artery Pseudoaneurysm Secondary to Retropharyngeal Abscess

Area of Science:

• Vascular Surgery
• Infectious Diseases
• Interventional Radiology

Background:

• Vascular complications from retropharyngeal abscesses are uncommon in the antibiotic era.
• These complications include internal carotid artery (ICA) compression, arteritis, and pseudoaneurysm formation.
• Post-infectious ICA pseudoaneurysms are predominantly seen in pediatric patients and are rare in adults.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a rare case of retropharyngeal abscess complicated by ICA pseudoaneurysm in an adult.
• To describe the successful management of this complication using an endovascular approach.

Main Methods:

• A case study approach was used.
• The patient presented with a retropharyngeal abscess.
• Diagnosis of ICA pseudoaneurysm was confirmed.
• Endovascular treatment was performed.

Main Results:

• An adult patient with a retropharyngeal abscess developed an internal carotid artery (ICA) pseudoaneurysm.
• The pseudoaneurysm was successfully treated with an endovascular technique.
• This demonstrates the feasibility of endovascular intervention in such rare adult cases.

Conclusions:

• Retropharyngeal abscess can lead to ICA pseudoaneurysm formation in adults, though rare.
• Endovascular management is a viable and successful treatment option for this condition in adults.
• This case expands the understanding of ICA pseudoaneurysm management in adult patients with infectious etiologies.