Left Carotid Artery In Spenoid Sinus

I am 55 and am on antibiotics (by an ID specialist) and get scoped by an ENT q 6 mos. S/P transphenoidal hypophysectomy, removal of a solidified fungal mass in the sella turcica region, debridement of embedded infection (fungal and staph) in the area and multiple sinus surgeries. My ENT says whenever he scopes me the carotid artery/sphenoid region is very, very thin after all the surgical debridements/trauma and that should I 'get a good infection there' it could lead to my demise. He tells me he always visualizes the caroid artery pulsating upon scoping. I am on medication for high cholesterol and for low blood pressure (Florinef) that sometimes makes my BP at tad high (134/88 range). I also have Von Wilebrand's. My question: should I be having the left carotid (sphenoidal) artery monitored other than by the ENT's scope (for more dimensional view) in the event it were to dvelop an aneurysm? And if so, what type of physian or specialist should I see? And finally, what kind of testing would be involved/how frequently? Thank you very much for taking the time to respond to my questions.

[Christopher R Newey, DO]

Thanks for using the forum. I am happy to address your questions, and my answer will be based on the information you provided here. Please make sure you recognize that this forum is for educational purposes only, and it does not substitute for a formal office visit with a doctor.

Without the ability to examine and obtain a history, I can not tell you what the exact cause of the symptoms is. However I will try to provide you with some useful information.

You should discuss this with your ENT. To monitor the carotid artery at the location of where I think you are describing would require an invasive evaluation either with a CT-angiography or cerebral angiography. These are usually performed by radiologists. However, other physicians do these procedures as well. The ENT would have to decide if the benefits of obtaining such an image would outweigh the risks of getting the image.

Thank you for this opportunity to answer your questions, I hope you find the information I have provided useful, good luck.