External carotid artery aneurysm in an infant presenting with oropharyngeal haemorrhage

We report an unusual case of a mycotic external carotid artery aneurysm presenting in a nine-month-old infant. She presented with coryzal-like symptoms and oropharyngeal haemorrhage. This was thought initially to be due to acute tonsillitis. There was significant haemorrhage and reversible hypovolaemic arrest. A contrast computerised tomography scan (CT) confirmed the diagnosis of a mycotic external carotid artery aneurysm. This was subsequently successfully treated by percutaneous embolization with microcoil insertion.