Ruptured cervical aneurysm of the carotid artery--case report of a rare disease.

Rupture of a cervical carotid artery aneurysm is a rare but life-threatening event. The diagnostic evaluation and therapeutic management of a 55-year-old woman with such a lesion are described. In this case, the aneurysmal rupture was complicated by localized Staphylococcus aureus infection confirmed by bacteriologic culture of excised tissue, septicemia, and prevertebral and intraspinal abscess. Definitive diagnosis was a ruptured mycotic aneurysm of the extracranial carotid artery. The origin of the infection was probably the patient's previously infected vascular prosthesis for hemodialysis.