Subacute rupture of intracavernous carotid artery aneurysm with cavernous sinus thrombophlebitis: Potential diagnostic and therapeutic challenges

Abstract

We report on a patient with subacute ruptured intracavernous carotid artery aneurysm presenting with nonspecific features of cavernous sinus thrombophlebitis initially, leading to delayed diagnosis. It alerts our awareness of the potential causes and consequences of cavernous sinus thrombophlebitis, in particular in the presence of complicating internal carotid artery aneurysm and hence, the importance of angiographic evaluation. The increased risk of thrombogenic event from coexisting inflammation raises difficulty in endovascular coiling of aneurysm, which would be further aggravated with presence of stent due to potential risk of stent infection from local spread, as demonstrated in our case with complicated parent artery occlusion due to in-stent thrombus formation during the procedure. Adequate antithrombotic therapy at both before and after the procedure is required and regular follow-up is mandatory.