RUPTURED CERVICAL ANEURYSM OF THE CAROTID-ARTERY - CASE-REPORT OF A RARE DISEASE

Rupture of a cervical carotid artery aneurysm is a rare but life-threa tening event. The diagnostic evaluation and therapeutic management of a 55-year-old woman with such a lesion are described. In this case, th e aneurysmal rupture was complicated by localized Staphylococcus aureu s infection confirmed by bacteriologic culture of excised tissue, sept icemia, and prevertebral and intraspinal abscess. Definitive diagnosis was a ruptured mycotic aneurysm of the extracranial carotid artery. T he origin of the infection was probably the patient's previously infec ted vascular prosthesis for hemodialysis.