title: Mycotic Aneurysm of the Common Carotid Artery as a Presenting Symptom for Early Colorectal Malignancy.
abstract: Mycotic carotid aneurysms are rare vascular conditions that are associated with high mortality if left untreated. We present a gentleman who had a progressively enlarging tender pulsatile swelling on the right side of neck. Emergency computed tomography scan showed a large mycotic aneurysm arising from the right common carotid artery, and he underwent emergency open exploration with interposition bypass graft. Bacteroides fragilis species, which signified gastrointestinal-related sepsis, was isolated from the thrombus culture. Subsequently search of systemic septic source showed an early rectal adenocarcinoma. This is the first case in the world's literature of a patient who had B. fragilis mycotic carotid aneurysm as a presenting complaint of his occult rectal malignancy.
authors.affiliation: Division of Vascular & Endovascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Hong Kong Medical Centre, Hong Kong. Electronic address: ycchan88@hkucc.hku.hk.
authors.forename: Yiu-Che
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.affiliation: Division of Vascular & Endovascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Hong Kong Medical Centre, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Stephen W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Cheng
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D000785:Aneurysm, Infected / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000601:surgery; D001441:Bacteroides fragilis; D017536:Carotid Artery, Common; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*