[Pseudoaneurysm of the internal carotid artery following a peritonsillar abscess].

Abstract

A pseudoaneurysm of the internal carotid artery is a rare major complication of peritonsillar abscess. We present a 95-year-old women, who had a persistent bleeding from peritonsillar fossa after a routine tonsillectomy and ligation of the external carotid artery. Postoperative performed intraarterial angiography verify the diagnosis of a pseudoaneurysm of the internal carotid artery. Subsequent ligation of the internal carotid artery superior the bifurcation stops the hemorrhage. Review of literature demonstrate the importance of angiography in such cases.