Mycotic aneurysm of the external carotid artery

Mycotic aneurysms of the extracranial carotid arteries are extremely rare. A case is reported of an external carotid artery aneurysm that developed in a patient with infective endocarditis. We review 15 previously reported cases of mycotic aneurysms of the cervical carotid arteries, one of which occurred in a patient with infective endocarditis. None of them occurred in the external carotid artery. Most cases were due to local trauma, a contiguous focus of infection or bacteremia. Surgical resection and appropriate antibiotic treatment lead to cure in most cases.