Airway stenosis associated with a mycotic pseudoaneurysm of the common carotid artery

A 56-year-old woman was seen who had been under hemodialysis treatment. In September 2003, the patient was sent to our hospital with fever and dyspnea, and artificial respiration was initiated. Bronchoscopy detected stenosis due to compression of the bronchus. Contrast computed tomography and angiography detected a pseudoaneurysm of the right common carotid artery. We performed emergency excision of the mycotic pseudoaneurysm, which was closed with an autologous pericardial patch. We also performed median sternotomy to obtain an adequate surgical view. A perfusion tube was inserted into the internal carotid artery. The inflammatory findings and dyspnea resolved postoperatively. © 2008 The Japanese Association for Thoracic Surgery.