Infectious Pseudoaneurysm of the Internal Carotid Artery in a Child Secondary to Parapharyngeal Abscess

Abstract

Infectious pseudoaneurysm is a rare condition characterized by arterial wall dilation, usually due to an adjacent infectious focus. We present an 8-year-old male with a 3-day history of progressive, severe headache 2 weeks after treatment for a parapharyngeal abscess. Computed tomography revealed a left internal carotid artery (ICA) pseudoaneurysm inferior to the skull base and a small parapharyngeal abscess inferior to the pseudoaneurysm. The patient was admitted for intravenous antibiotic treatment and underwent transfemoral endovascular coil occlusion of the cervical ICA pseudoaneurysm without complications. We discuss the presentation and management of rare vascular complications of parapharyngeal abscesses involving major arteries of the neck and the role of neurointerventional embolization in these cases.