A Rare Case of External Jugular Vein Aneurysm Mimicking Branchial Cyst in a Nigerian Child

An aneurysm of the external jugular vein is exceptionally rare. Its occurrence in children could present diagnostic challenges due to numerous potential differential diagnoses, including anomalies such as branchial cysts. This study aims to emphasize the necessity of raising suspicion for jugular venous aneurysms in children with cystic neck masses. We report an 18-month-old boy with a left-sided neck swelling persisting for 10 months. The swelling was cystic and increased in size during straining or crying. A preoperative diagnosis of a branchial cyst was made but was inconsistent with intraoperative findings, where a venous aneurysm was diagnosed. Ligation and excision were performed without sequelae. External jugular venous aneurysms, though rare, should be considered as a potential differential diagnosis in case of lateral neck swellings, especially if they demonstrate compressibility with an increase in size on Valsalva maneuvers. Simple ligation and excision are curative measures.