Mycotic Pseudoaneurysm of Internal Carotid Artery Induced by Skull Base Osteomyelitis.

Background: Skull base osteomyelitis (SBO) is predominantly seen in immunocompromised patients, with diabetes mellitus being the most common underlying comorbidity. Microbial aetiology is commonly bacterial, although fungal SBO is encountered in a small fraction of patients. Treatment consists of prolonged antimicrobial therapy, control of underlying comorbidity, and surgical debridement in selected cases. Involvement of cranial nerves is a common complication and is considered a poor prognostic factor. Pseudoaneurysm of internal carotid artery caused by skull base osteomyelitis is a very rare complication, limited to few case reports only.

Case: We report the case of a 55-year-old diabetic patient with bacterial SBO who developed pseudoaneurysm of cervical-petrous part of internal carotid artery during the course of treatment.

Conclusion: New onset symptoms or persistent symptoms in SBO suggest progressive disease and necessitate re-evaluation of the microbial aetiology and antimicrobial treatment. Skull base osteomyelitis induced aneurysm is rare but can be life threatening, if not identified and managed immediately.