Endovascular Treatment of Intracavernous Internal Carotid Aneurysm Secondary to Pituitary Infection

Abstract

Background: Intracavernous internal carotid artery (ICICA) aneurysm secondary to pituitary infection is exceedingly rare.

Case description: We report an unusual case of a 63-year-old man who presented with acute left blepharoptosis and imaging findings of a pituitary infection. Interestingly, sudden onset of right blepharoptosis occurred after anti-infective therapy for 10 days. Digital subtraction angiography revealed a right ICICA aneurysm. After 6 months of follow-up visits, enlargement of the ICICA aneurysm was observed, and the endovascular technique of a low-profile visualized intraluminal support stent combined with 5 detachable coils was successfully performed to treat the ICICA aneurysm, with preservation of the internal carotid artery.

Conclusion: This rare case highlights a life-threatening complication of a pituitary infection. Moreover, enlargement of the infected ICICA aneurysm could not be relieved by conservative anti-infective therapy. Endovascular treatment may be an alternative therapy for an infected ICICA aneurysm.

Keywords: Case report; Endovascular treatment; Infected internal carotid artery aneurysm; Pituitary infection.